As Rajinikanth fans gear up to celebrate Maha Shivratri, a video from Madurai has stirred debate online. The clip shows a devoted admirer performing a special puja before an image of the superstar depicted as Lord Shiva, prompting mixed reactions across social media platforms. A fan spotted offering milk to Rajinikanth's picture as Lord Shiva The fan, identified as Karthik, reportedly constructed a small shrine inside his home for the ritual. In the now-viral video, he is seen offering milk and prayers to a framed still of the actor dressed as the deity. The image is said to be from the 1993 film Uzhaippali, in which the actor appeared in a divine avatar. As part of the tribute, Karthik decorated the photograph with a garland made of 500 vadais, symbolising the star’s remarkable 50-year journey in cinema. Speaking to ANI, the devotee explained that this was the third consecutive year he had performed the Shivratri puja in this manner. He described the gesture as an expression of gratitude and reverence toward the actor, whom he regards as a source of inspiration. Netizens react to the viral video However, the act did not resonate well with many online users. As the video circulated widely on X and Instagram, several netizens criticised the ritual, questioning the blending of celebrity admiration with religious worship. Some argued that religious festivals should remain focused on deities rather than film personalities, while others described the act as excessive fan devotion. A few comments suggested that even the actor himself might find the spectacle amusing or unnecessary. A user wrote, “Omg. So many f***ls are there here. Even Rajini will laugh seeing it”, with another writing, “I am sure Thalaivar rajinikanth will not approve this cringe stuff.” Another one shared, “Behave yourselves, people.... See a human only as a human.” “What the heck is this,” one quipped, with another twitterati writing, “This should never be encouraged at any time.” The incident once again highlights the extraordinary fan culture surrounding the veteran star, whose influence often transcends cinema. While many admirers view such gestures as heartfelt tributes, others see them as an example of how celebrity worship can blur lines with faith. The debate underscores the powerful emotional connection fans share with their idols, and the conversations that follow when devotion takes unconventional forms.
14 February,2026 08:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRadhika Pandit, the wife of the Kannada superstar Yash, is celebrating Valentine’s Day with a heartwarming note for her husband. On Saturday, Radhika took to her Instagram and shared a romantic picture of the two watching fireworks by the waterfront. She also penned a heartfelt caption expressing gratitude and love for her husband. She acknowledged the silent sacrifices and hard work he puts in for their family. She wrote, “To the man who made it possible for me to dance like no one’s watching… I see the tiredness in your eyes, the sacrifices no one else notices, the weight of long days you carry without complaining. I know it’s for us. Thank you for choosing me every single day. Happy Valentine’s Day, my forever”. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhika Pandit (@iamradhikapandit) The post quickly resonated with fans, who praised the couple for their strong bond and enduring partnership. Known for keeping their personal life graceful yet private, Radhika’s message offered a rare glimpse into the emotional strength behind one of the industry’s most admired couples. Meanwhile, Yash is gearing up for the release of his upcoming big ticket entertainer, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The film is set to clash with the Bollywood behemoth Dhurandhar: The Revenge on March 19. T The actor also has Ramayana: Part 1 in the pipeline, in which he essays the role of Lankesh. Ramayana: Part 1 is a large-scale adaptation of the Indian epic, directed by Nitesh Tiwari. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, with Sai Pallavi as Sita and Yash portraying Ravana. It focuses on Ram’s early life, exile, and the moral framework that defines his character. The production emphasizes practical sets combined with extensive VFX, with music by A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer.
14 February,2026 06:33 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSMega Star Chiranjeevi has now penned a post of appreciation for both Ram Charan and Upasana Konidela for their conscious and spiritually rooted choice of names drawn from "our eternal cultural heritage and sanctified by the blessings of our sacred temples." Taking to his Instagram page to pen the post of appreciation, Chiranjeevi wrote, "I have been receiving calls and messages from friends, relatives, and fans from all over, appreciating the beautiful names of our two little joys." He went on to add, "With a proud heart, I extend my heartfelt love and appreciation to dear upasanakaminenikonidela and alwaysramcharan for their conscious, spiritually rooted choice of names drawn from our eternal cultural heritage and sanctified by the blessings of our sacred temples." "These names carry within them devotion, cultural memory, and the divine grace that has guided generations," the actor informed. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiranjeevi Konidela (@chiranjeevikonidela) Chiranjeevi also said, "It is equally touching to witness Charan’s thoughtful and beautiful gesture of incorporating “Devi” from his grandmother Anjana Devi garu’s name for baby Anveera. May the divine blessings always protect and guide you both and the children." It may be recalled that Ram Charan and Upasana Konidela's twins have been named Shivram and Anveera Devi. Megastar Chiranjeevi had announced the names of his newborn grandkids with a special social media post on Friday. Dropping a picture of Ram Charan and Upasana from the naming ceremony, Chiranjeevi had said, "With boundless joy and divine grace...We are delighted to announce the beautiful names of our two little blessings - 𝑺𝒉𝒊𝒗𝒂 𝑹𝒂𝒎 𝑲𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂” & 𝑨𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒆𝒓𝒂 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒊 𝑲𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒍𝒂 (sic)". The Godfather actor further went on to explain the significance behind these names in the caption that read, "Shiva Ram is a profound confluence of two eternal ideals. “Shiva” is inspired by Shiva Shankara Vara Prasad, reflecting inner strength, spiritual depth and stillness. “Ram” from Ram Charan embodies righteousness, compassion and moral courage. Together, the name signifies the harmony between inner power and responsible action." Explaining the meaning of Anveera, he shared, "Anveera Devi is a rare and powerful expression of the Divine Feminine. Anveera represents fearlessness, resilience and divine protection, inspired by the blessings of Kanaka Durga Devi. A name that reflects grace, courage and unwavering strength." Chiranjeevi had ended the post by urging everyone to shower their blessings on the newborns. "We seek your blessings for Shiva Ram and Anveera Devi as they begin their beautiful journey of life. With love and gratitude," he wrote. Ram Charan and Upasana embraced parenthood for the second time as they welcomed the twins - a boy and a girl on February 1. 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
14 February,2026 02:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAce director Lokesh Kanagaraj has entertained the audience with his storytelling in films like Leo, Coolie, Vikram and more. Now, the filmmaker is set to entertain the audience from in front of the camera. The makers of the upcoming Tamil film DC directed by Arun Matheswaran' have unveiled the first teaser from the film, unveiling the bloody side of Lokesh. DC teaser On the occasion of Valentine's Day, the makers of DC dropped a teaser with no dialogue. Through it, it was disclosed that Lokesh Kanakaraj plays a character called Devadas, while Wamiqa Gabbi plays a character called Chandra and actress Sanjana A K plays a character called Parvathi in the film. As reported by IANS earlier, actress Wamiqa Gabbi plays the female lead in the film, which will mark the acting debut of Lokesh Kanakaraj. On Saturday, Sun Pictures, which is producing the film, took to its social media timelines to share a promo. It wrote,"Love hits harder this Valentine’s Day! Team #DC wishes you all a Happy Valentine’s Day!" The video released was on similar lines to the title teaser of the film, which the makers released last year. The promo appears to lend credibility to rumours that this film will be a gangster drama. It starts off with Parvathi approaching a mike to but is unable to speak or sing. We then see Chandra putting on make up in what appears to be a house of ill repute. There are scenes that show Devadas and Parvathi having a conversation and Devadas consoling Chandra. The promo also has some grim visuals Devadas is seen slitting the throat of an injured man and severing the head of another. The video ends with Devadas and Chandra getting away in a car. Love hits harder this Valentine’s Day! ❤️🔥 Team #DC wishes you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! ♥️ @Dir_Lokesh @ArunMatheswaran @anirudhofficial #WamiqaGabbi @isanjkayy @mukesh_DOP #PrasannaGK #KannanS @PC_stunts @kabilanchelliah pic.twitter.com/cQajx8GXRU — Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) February 14, 2026 More about DC The film, which is being produced by Sun Pictures, has triggered huge interest as it will mark director Lokesh Kanakaraj's debut as an actor. It is slated to hit screens this year. The film has dialogues by Arun Matheswaran and Franklin Jacob with additional screenplay by Arun Ranjan. Music for the film is by Anirudh and cinematography is by Mukesh G. Editing for the film is by G K Prasanna and art direction by Kannan S. It may be recalled that sources had told IANS that work on the film was progressing at a brisk pace and the entire film was likely to be ready now. For the unaware, Lokesh Kanakaraj had undergone martial arts training for this film. Lokesh underwent martial arts training in Thailand for this film soon after he directed Superstar Rajinikanth's 'Coolie', which hit screens worldwide on August 14 last year.
14 February,2026 01:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe makers of director Haroon's eagerly awaited investigative thriller Buried, featuring actor Vetri, best known for his performance in the critically acclaimed action entertainer 8 Thotakkal, have now announced that the unit has completed the film's shooting. Sources close to the unit of the film say that Buried will be an investigative thriller in which Vetri will be seen essaying the character of an encounter specialist. For the unaware, Buried is being produced by Haroon and Mahender Kumar under the banners of Dream House and Jain Creations. The story of the film has been written and directed by Haroon, who is best known for having directed the film Web. Actresses Akshitha, who hails from Hyderabad, and Chandini Tamilarasan, who has acted in a number of Tamil films, are the heroines of this investigative thriller. Apart from the lead actors, the film will also feature a host of stars, including Balaji Sakthivel, Singam Puli, Saravana Subbaiah, Jenson Diwakar and Kodangi Vadivelu. Sources in the unit say that Buried will focus on the challenges an encounter specialist police officer faces because of his profession, the kind of impact it has on his family members and how he overcomes those challenges. The film has a strong technical team working on it. John Robbins, who has scored music for several albums, is scoring the music for this film. Cinematography for the film is by KV Kiran. Velu, who has worked as an assistant art director on films such as Kantara, has taken care of the art direction department. Don Bosco has been given charge of editing. Dances in the film have been choreographed by Richie Richardson. Well-known director Arunraja Kamaraj has sung a song in this film, which has Captain MP Anand and KSK Selvakumar as its executive producers. The film has been shot in places like Chennai, Coimbatore, Yercaud and Kodaikanal. Sources say that post-production work is progressing at a brisk pace and that the film will be ready for release shortly. 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
14 February,2026 11:17 AM IST | Chennai | IANSActor and politician Vijay was recently seen greeting his fans and supporters at a public rally of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), held in Salem, Tamil Nadu. At the event, he was mobbed by the crowd who wanted a glimpse of him. However, the rally turned tragic as one fan reportedly died after fainting during the rally. Videos from the rally have emerged showing hundreds of fans blocking his car and causing a ruckus, while the police and his security are struggling to control them. TVK supporter dies during Vijay's TVK rally in Salem According to PTI, the man, identified as Suraj, a native of Maharashtra and residing here, collapsed after complaining of chest pain and was immediately rushed to a local hospital. "He was declared brought dead at the medical facility," a police official said. He also claimed that Suraj had undergone angioplasty sometime ago.The police have registered a case and are investigating. THIS IS CRAZY AND INSANE 🤯🤯 Thalapathy Vijay Mass euphoria in Salem ❤️🔥❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/D07aa8e0u4 — Actor Vijay Team (@ActorVijayTeam) February 13, 2026 According to the police, the man had gone to see Vijay. He complained of uneasiness while waiting at the rally venue and fainted. Those near him initially attempted to revive Suraj, but later rushed him in an ambulance to a private hospital. However, the doctors who examined him said he was brought dead. Police claimed that the incident happened even before Vijay arrived for the district functionaries' meeting. Preliminary enquiry by a team from the Annadhanapatti police who arrived at the hospital revealed that Suraj was a heart patient and underwent a procedure. Vijay mobbed by fans in Salem In one video from the event, Vijay can be seen waving and giving thumbs up to fans who followed him on bikes. Passersby standing on the road could be seen recording him as his car went by. At one point, Vijay even asked them to be careful. As Vijay reached closer to the rally venue, hundreds of fans mobbed his car and blocked his way. The police can be heard whistling, asking fans to move along as his security tries to protect him. Another video shows traffic almost came to a standstill as the fans blocked Vijay’s cars. Drivers were honking in the hope that the crowd would move along. The crowd could be seen running along his car dangerously once it found a gap to move.
14 February,2026 10:39 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTamil actor and filmmaker Dhanush has landed in legal trouble. A production house, Thenandal Films, has sent him a legal notice demanding compensation of Rs 20 crore over alleged delays linked to a long-pending film project finalised in 2016. The notice claims that Dhanush had signed the production’s 2016 film Naan Rudhran but later backed out. While exiting the project, he allegedly promised to star in and direct another film for the banner. Dhanush served Rs 20 cr legal notice Relying on Dhanush’s promise, Thenandal Films reportedly invested in the pre-production process of the new project. Nearly Rs 20 crore was spent on advance payments and pre-production expenses for the film he was supposed to direct. Reportedly, advances were paid to actors like Nagarjuna and SJ Suryah, who were expected to feature in the film. However, nearly a decade later, the production house has accused Dhanush of stalling the project midway after failing to deliver a complete script. They have also alleged that he allocated his dates to other projects without completing their film. Thenandal Films issued the legal notice through advocate A. Chidambaram. The notice asks Dhanush to respond within a week and confirm whether he will honour his earlier promise of allocating dates by the end of 2025 to complete the project. If he fails to do so, the company has demanded repayment of Rs 20 crore as compensation, along with an additional Rs 1 crore. The notice warns of appropriate legal action if the matter is not resolved. Ranveer Singh–Farhan Akhtar dispute Meanwhile, in Bollywood, a similar dispute has unfolded. Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani have reportedly sought Rs 40 crore in compensation from Ranveer Singh after he exited Don 3. Following the success of Dhurandhar in December, reports emerged that Ranveer stepped away from Farhan Akhtar’s much-anticipated Don 3 due to creative differences. Recent reports claim that Farhan and Ritesh Sidhwani’s production company, Excel Entertainment, is seeking compensation of Rs 40 crore from Ranveer for his exit. On the other hand, Ranveer Singh reportedly left the project to preserve his peace of mind. He is said to be upset about how a potential hit like Don 3 was handled by the makers. The actor reportedly felt that Farhan prioritised other projects and his acting career over Don 3, leaving him to endure nearly three years of indecision.
14 February,2026 10:28 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMalavika Mohanan was last seen in the film The RajaSaab, co-starring Prabhas. The actress had several action sequences in the film. During the film's release, she revealed that she performed her own stunts and also shared some BTS footage of herself executing them. However, netizens later circulated visuals from the set that showed the presence of a stunt double. Many assumed that Malavika had lied about doing her own stunts. On Friday, the actress took to her social media handle to set the record straight and clarified why a stunt double was present on set. Malavika shares proof of stunts Malavika took to her X account and shared BTS clips of herself performing her own stunts, along with visuals of her preparing for the action block. In the sequence, she is seen taking on a group of rowdies. Sharing the footage, Malavika wrote, “Been seeing a lot of tweets and articles about how I claimed to do my own stunts for ‘The Rajasaab’ but a body double did it, as there’s a photo circulating online of a stunt artist who was my stunt double on the film.” The actress said that she chooses to do action in films because she genuinely enjoys it. “Firstly, I do action because I really enjoy it. I’ve been a sporty girl since a young age and I enjoy physically challenging my body and learning new things.” Clarifying the presence of a stunt double on the sets, she added, “Secondly, there’s always a stunt double on set even when actors perform their own stunts. The action director gets them to rehearse the shot first, as they’re the experts, before asking the actor to do the final take. In certain shots, when it’s too risky, they prefer a professional to execute it so that nothing unsafe is attempted.” She concluded, “So here’s some BTS of me doing some fun shots- and a big hug to my stunt double who taught me how to execute them right.” As girls we rarely get to do action in films, but I love doing stunts & had so much fun doing this scene! 🥷💥♥️Did you like this scene? ☺️ pic.twitter.com/VvAVCHBGVW — Malavika Mohanan (@MalavikaM_) January 12, 2026 The extended cut of The RajaSaab on OTT A day after its theatrical release, the makers added and deleted certain portions following criticism from fans, who pointed out that several interesting scenes shown in the trailer were missing from the final cut. Now, the makers have dropped an extended cut of the film on JioHotstar. Before its streaming release, the OTT platform revealed that the Prabhas-starrer will stream with an extended cut, though further details about the revised runtime were not disclosed. In its official post, the platform stated, “Due to unforeseen circumstances and last-minute technical glitches, we’ve added the extended cut!”
14 February,2026 09:17 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentYash-starrer Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. Recently, it was announced that Dil Raju's Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC) has acquired the distribution rights of the film in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana for a whopping Rs 120 crore. The announcement was met with scepticism, with some even terming it a publicity stunt. The producer has now strongly reacted to the doubts. Dil Raju on Toxic investment Dil Raju was promoting his upcoming production Markandeya, where a reporter remarked, "I don’t know whether to call you Dil Raju or Dare Raju, sir.” To this, Raju smiled and said he could be called by whichever name. The reporter further said, “Nobody would dare to invest ₹120 crore to distribute a film as you’ve done for Toxic. A lot of people are shocked by it.” The producer replied, “I am ready for whatever you say.” Another reporter added, “People think it’s a publicity stunt to announce the figure.” Calmly responding to the queries, Raju said, “Let me do one thing. For those who are doubtful, once I transfer the money, I will share my bank statement. Maybe people will believe me then.” About the deal Sri Venkateswara Creations (SVC), led by Dil Raju, has acquired the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana distribution rights for a staggering Rs 120 crore (advance on a commission basis), officially marking it as the biggest acquisition ever for a non-Telugu origin film. The landmark deal between the makers of Toxic (KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations) and SVC further cements the film as one of the most anticipated cinematic spectacles, underlining the extraordinary confidence the trade has in its scale, appeal, and box-office potential. With three major contenders aggressively vying for the AP–TG rights, SVC ultimately emerged victorious, sealing what is now being hailed as one of the most defining distribution deals in recent Indian cinema. Dil Raju of Sri Venkateswara Creations said, “Yash stands as a formidable titan of Indian cinema, and post KGF 2, his market has only grown stronger across the world. The audience’s anticipation for his next film after KGF 2 has been building for a while now. With a four-year wait, the buzz and expectations around this film are massive. We at SVC are stoked to present this prestigious project and hope to continue collaborating with Yash on many more films.” About Toxic Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages, underscoring the film’s global ambition. The film boasts a formidable technical lineup, with National Award-winning cinematographer Rajeev Ravi behind the lens, music composed by Ravi Basrur, editing by Ujwal Kulkarni, and production design by TP Abid. The action sequences are mounted on a grand scale, choreographed by Hollywood action director JJ Perry (John Wick), alongside National Award-winning action directors Anbariv and Kecha Khamphakdee.
14 February,2026 08:21 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBollywood actor Saurabh Sachdeva is all set to share the screen with Fahadh Faasil in the latter’s much-anticipated Telugu film, as the South Indian film industry buzzes with fresh casting news. The news gained momentum after updates around the collaboration began circulating online, further exciting fans eager to see the two actors come together on screen. Saurabh recently made a mark with his performance in the Malayalam hit Eko. He played a pivotal role in the super hit mystery thriller which was released in theatres last year. About Don't Trouble The Trouble Directed by Shashank Yeleti, presented by S.S. Rajamouli and produced by the latter’s son Karthikeya along with Baahubali makers Shobu Yarlagadda and Prasad Devineni, Don’t Trouble The Trouble will feature Faasil as an unlikely hero who rises from the ashes. The casting chatter picked up after director Shashank Yeleti reshared the development on social media, with Sachdeva also reposting the update on Instagram, seemingly confirming his association with the film. While details about his role remain under wraps, the collaboration has already sparked excitement among cinema enthusiasts. Fahadh has already commenced shooting for the film in Hyderabad. On learning about Fahadh’s shooting location, fans had gathered in large numbers to get a glimpse of the actor. The makers took a break from work, and Fahadh took the opportunity to meet and greet fans. Fahadh Faasil’s upcoming movies While he continues shooting for this project, he also has a film titled Oxygen in his kitty. Notably, it was announced along with Don’t Trouble The Trouble. Apart from this, the actor will next be seen in the action thriller Patriot with superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal. Directed by Mahesh Narayanan, the film will hit screens worldwide on April 23 this year. The film, which has triggered huge expectations ever since it was announced, also features Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, and Revathy, in addition to the Malayalam superstars. A teaser released by the makers last year further amplified expectations among fans and film buffs. On January 4 this year, the makers announced that the unit had wrapped up the film’s shooting and shared a BTS video of all the stars on set. The film revolves around a group of socially responsible individuals trying to thwart an illegal attempt by the government to monitor its citizens.
14 February,2026 08:20 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Allu Sirish’s wedding festivities have officially kicked off, with the celebrations beginning on a traditional and vibrant note at the Allu residence. The actor is all set to tie the knot with his fiancee Nayanika Reddy in March. Allu Sirish shares glimpses of his Pasupu function Taking to his social media account, the Urvasivo Rakshasivo actor, who is all pumped up to become a groom, shared glimpses from the intimate ceremony. He captioned the post: “Wedding festivities have officially begun with our pasupu function…” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Allu Sirish (@allusirish) Surprisingly, new mommy Upasana Kamineni, wife of actor Ram Charan, who recently delivered twins, was also spotted attending the event, looking radiant in a traditional outfit. The video montage shared by Allu Sirish captures the auspicious Pasupu function, a customary pre-wedding ritual in Telugu households. The decor looks and is dominated by bright yellow marigolds and white floral garlands. Floral hangings can be seen adorning the entrance, and a beautifully decorated backdrop with intricate flower arrangements is seen, setting the tone for the ceremony. In the latter part of the video, women of the family are seen performing rituals in front of a deity idol placed on an ornately decorated pedestal. Allu Sirish, in the video, is seen smiling warmly alongside the elders of the family, dressed in a simple traditional yellow outfit. Allu Arjun regrets missing the festivities Allu Arjun recently experienced FOMO as his brother Allu Sirish gears up for his wedding celebrations. Unfortunately, Allu Arjun could not attend the Pasupu ceremony due to his packed shooting schedule. Taking to Instagram, he reshared Allu Sirish's reel, which captured beautiful and heartwarming family moments from the Pasupu ceremony, on his Instagram Stories. Along with sharing the reel, he expressed how much he missed being present at the special event. He wrote, “I missed being there (yellow heart emoji)” Talking about other pre-wedding events, a few days ago, Allu Sirish and fiancee Nayanika Reddy hosted an intimate pre-wedding yacht party in Dubai. The bash was attended by close friends and family, including Allu Arjun, and his wife Sneha Reddy, who joined the couple for a celebration filled with laughter, music and heartfelt moments against the stunning Dubai skyline.
13 February,2026 01:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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