Supertstar Mohanlal has joined the cast of Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer 'Khalifa', which will be released in two instalments in theatres. Director Vysakh will be directing this crime drama. Mohanlal is set to play the role of Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali in the film. Khalifa will arrive in theatres in two instalments, with the first part aiming for a release at Onam 2026. View this post on Instagram A post shared by POFFACTIO (@poffactio) Part I is titled 'Khalifa: The Intro', while the next part is titled 'Khalifa: His Reign'. The movie is produced by Jinu v Abhraham and Suraj Kumar under the banner of Jiinu Abraham Innovation. On their Instagram handle, Jiinu Abraham Innovation shared a poster of Khalifa introducing Mohanlal's character in the film. They wrote, "Mohanlal is Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali! Meet the legend in Part 1. Know his bloody history in Part 2. Khalifa Part 1 - In cinemas Onam 2026. Vengeance will be written in GOLD...But before GOLD. There was BLOOD!" The makers have shared a glimpse video of the film. In the video titled "Glimpse", Sukumaran was seen driving a luxury car and fighting goons. He was introduced as an elite criminal who had never been caught by the police or the past governments of India. The actor's character name is 'Aamir Ali' in the film. In the end, Sukumaran was seen smoking a cigarette after hitting a man in a bus. The music of the film is composed by Jake Bejoy and edited by Chaman Chakko. 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
08 December,2025 02:17 PM IST | Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) | ANIThe Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court on Monday acquitted Malayalam actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case. The case is related to the abduction and sexual assault of a leading female actor. Actor Dileep was accused of conspiring and hiring a gang to execute the crime. The verdict came eight years after the sensational case shook the Malayalam industry. Actor Dileep acquitted in assault case In a dramatic conclusion to one of Kerala’s most sensational criminal trials, Malayalam actor Dileep was acquitted. Earlier in the day, at around 9.30 a.m., Dileep reached Ernakulam amid heavy security, first visiting his counsel’s office before proceeding to the court. All 10 accused were present as directed by the court during the pronouncement of the judgment. The defence had consistently argued that the case against Dileep was built on circumstantial evidence and uncorroborated testimonies. The survivor, whose courage in pursuing the case drew national attention, was present in court. The Ernakulam Principal District and Sessions Court, however, found six others, including prime accused Sunil N.S. alias Pulsar Suni, who directly committed the crime, guilty. Women’s rights organisations expressed deep disappointment over the verdict, stating that the acquittal raises serious questions about investigative lapses and the difficulty of securing convictions in cases involving powerful accused. Speaking immediately after the verdict, Dileep, who was present in court, said, “This was a conspiracy against me. I thank all the lawyers and everybody else who helped me…” About the case The case pertains to an actress who worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films and was allegedly abducted and molested inside her car by a group of men who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17, 2017. Sunil N.S., widely known as Pulsar Suni, alleged to have orchestrated the abduction and assault, is the first accused. The trial, which began on March 8, 2018, has been lengthy and complex. A total of 261 witnesses were examined, many in camera, including several prominent film personalities, with 28 witnesses turning hostile. The crime had shocked Kerala and led to widespread protests within the film fraternity and civil society. Following the verdict, scenes of visible relief were witnessed among Dileep’s family members and supporters outside the court, while activists vowed to continue their fight for justice through legal and democratic means. The prosecution is expected to examine the judgment in detail before deciding on the possibility of an appeal.
08 December,2025 12:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMalayalam superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty have been known for sharing a close friendship over the years, supporting each other through thick and thin. In a recent gesture, Mammootty honoured his friend and co-star Mohanlal on his Dadasaheb Phalke Award win. Taking to Instagram, Mammootty shared a video from what appeared to be the sets of their upcoming film, 'Patriot'. In the video, Mammootty could be seen felicitating Mohanlal with a shawl and a flower bouquet, before the duo shared a warm hug. Other members also came forward to honour Mohanlal with similar gestures. In his caption, Mammootty wrote, "To dear Lalu who won the Phalke award. With love." Earlier in September, Mammootty celebrated his friend's Dadasaheb Phalke win with a heartfelt post and wrote, "More than a colleague, a brother, and an artist who has embarked on this wonderful cinematic journey for decades. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is not just for an actor, but for a true artist who has lived and breathed cinema. So happy and proud of you, Lal. You truly deserve this crown." At the 71st National Film Awards, the 'Lucifer' star received the award, the country's highest film honour, from President Droupadi Murmu. "This moment is not mine alone; this belongs to the whole Malayalam industry. I never dreamed of this day coming true, and I accept this award on behalf of the forerunners of our industry and our fans," Mohanlal said. Mohanlal, 65, is the youngest recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award and the second artist from the Malayalam film industry, after Adoor Gopalakrishnan, to win the award. On the work front, Mohanlal and Mammootty are all set to bring their real-life camaraderie to the big screen with 'Patriot'. The makers recently unveiled the film's teaser, giving a glimpse of an intense narrative focused on two individuals "who once controlled the country together." The film also features a look at Nayanthara, Kunchacko Boban, and Revathy's characters. Written and directed by Mahesh Narayanan, 'Patriot' is produced by Anto Joseph and KG Anil Kumar. It is made under the banner of Anto Joseph Productions. Details surrounding its plot or release date are yet to be unveiled.
07 December,2025 10:58 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIRoshan Mathew has completed 10 years in the movies and the actor is all set to explored uncharted territory as an actor. On Sunday, the makers of director Adhvaith Nayar's eagerly-awaited action extravaganza Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies delighted fans and film buffs by unveiling the fiery first look poster of actor Roshan Mathew in the film. The makers disclosed that Roshan Mathew plays a character called Vetri through the first look poster. Roshan Mathew's first look in Chatha Pacha The character poster has dropped at a time when expectations triggered by the film are already at an all-time high. The actor dons an intense look in the film. It may be recalled that the makers of the film had released an electrifying teaser some days ago. The much-anticipated teaser of the film offered a power-packed glimpse into the vibrant, chaotic world of Kerala’s wrestling culture driven by chaos and combat at its core. About the film Chatha Pacha: The Ring of Rowdies is spearheaded under the Reel World Entertainment banner by Creative Producer Shihan Shoukath, alongside visionaries Ritesh and Ramesh S. Ramakrishnan. Directed by first-time filmmaker Adhvaith Nayar, the film channels the raw pulse of Kerala street life and blends it with the flamboyant energy of wrestling culture. Creative producer Shihan Shoukath had, at the time of the release of the teaser, said,"We’ve spent the last two years building 'Chatha Pacha' from the ground up, and in that time, it’s grown from a scrappy underdog idea into a full-blown world we’ve poured our hearts into. It’s loud, chaotic, full of emotion, and rooted deeply in the culture we love, but it’s also wild and genre-bending in a way that hopefully feels new. The teaser barely scratches the surface of what’s coming, but it gives you a taste of the madness we’ve crafted, one that blends the thrill of wrestling, the grit of Fort Kochi, and the kind of big-screen energy we miss. As someone who’s been both behind the camera and behind the vision, I can’t wait for audiences to step into this universe." Actor Roshan Mathew, for his part, had then said, "Chatha Pacha is unlike anything I’ve done before. The best part is, I think that’s true for most of us who are part of this film. It really is a uniquely mad idea. I hope people have as much fun with the film as we’ve had making it. This teaser is just a peek into the world of CP. Can’t wait to hear what everyone thinks of it."
07 December,2025 12:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAamir Khan on Saturday said he is still in talks with Tamil filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj for a potential collaboration, amid speculations that their proposed big-scale action film has been shelved. According to media reports, the project, expected to mark Kanagaraj's Bollywood debut, was called off following the lukewarm response to Aamir's cameo in the director's last release, Coolie. No official announcement was made for it. Aamir to meet Lokesh for narration soon Kanagaraj is among the leading directors in Tamil cinema, known for action blockbusters such as Kamal Haasan-starrer Vikram, Leo and Master with Vijay, and Kaithi featuring Karthi. Speaking at the 23rd Hindustan Times Leadership Summit here, Aamir said the two are likely to meet soon for a narration. "Lokesh and I are supposed to meet up. We spoke last month and he said he will come to Bombay at some point, and we will go through the narration. So, that is on the cards as of now," the 60-year-old actor said. In June, Aamir had told PTI that he and Kanagaraj were working on a 'big-scale superhero action film' that was expected to go on floors in the second half of next year. The actor was also set to reunite with PK director Rajkumar Hirani for a biopic on Dadasaheb Phalke, regarded as the father of Indian cinema. However, according to media reports, the project has been put on hold due to creative differences. Aamir Khan's viral comment on Coolie According to a screenshot circulating on X (formerly Twitter), Aamir reportedly told a portal, "I accepted the cameo for Rajini saab. To be honest, I still can't figure out what my character was meant to do. It felt like I just walked in, said a line or two, and disappeared. There was no real purpose, no thought behind it. It was badly written." The screenshot also stated that Khan commented on the lukewarm box office response and mixed reviews. Aamir allegedly continued, "I wasn't involved creatively, so I had no idea how the final product would turn out. I thought it would be a fun appearance, but clearly, it didn't land. Itna reaction milega, socha nahi tha. But looking back, I understand why people were disappointed. The scene didn't work — simple as that. It was a big mistake and one that I'll be very careful about in the future." Clarifying the statements, Aamir Khan’s spokesperson said, "Mr Aamir Khan has given no such interview and has made no negative comments about the film Coolie. Mr Khan has the highest regard for Mr Rajinikant, Mr Lokesh and in fact the entire team of Coolie. The film has done over 500 Cr at the box office, which speaks for itself."
07 December,2025 11:44 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA month ago, actor and producer Rana Daggubati was summoned by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for questioning in a betting app case. The actor has now addressed the controversy and his role in it. He was in Mumbai for the launch of his alcohol brand when he spoke about the matter. Rana on betting app case On Saturday, while launching his liquor brand Loca Loca in Mumbai, Rana spoke to Bombay Times and said, “Those are legalities that keep changing. They’ll take their due course. There’s a law of the land, and we’ll always abide by it.” Addressing how he associates his name with any product, he added, “The first thing is getting the product right if the quality is fine and what you’re putting out there is fair, that’s as mindful as I would be while attaching my name to anything.” Last month, after his questioning, Daggubati had spoken to reporters outside the SIT office. PTI quoted him saying, “What happened has happened, and now we are just going to take the right ways to communicate the right messaging about these gaming apps.” ANI also reported him saying, “We are going to use the right ways to communicate the right message about gaming and gaming apps. The legalities will be completed later. But I am here to do whatever is needed to help spread the message.” The Telangana government set up the SIT, overseen by the Additional Director General of Police and the CID, to combat unlawful betting. Earlier this year, the Telangana police filed FIRs against 25 celebrities and influencers including Rana, Prakash Raj, Vijay Deverakonda, and Manchu Lakshmi — for allegedly promoting illegal gambling apps on social media. Rana’s work front The actor was last seen in the recently released film Kaantha, in which he shared the screen with Dulquer Salmaan. He played an investigating officer in the Tamil period drama set in the 1950s. Rana also co-produced the film with his co-star Dulquer. Earlier this year, Daggubati appeared in the second season of the Netflix series Rana Naidu, which premiered in June and also stars his uncle, veteran actor Venkatesh Daggubati.
07 December,2025 10:20 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentNandamuri Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2 was all set to hit theatres on December 5. However, owing to a financial dispute, the makers had to push the release date. The announcement came on December 4, a day before the original release date. Latest reports suggest that lead actor Nandamuri Balakrishna has stepped in to help resolve the financial issue. Nandamuri Balakrishna helps with financial dispute According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, Balakrishna has willingly agreed to adjust nearly Rs 20 crore from his fees to help producers settle their dues. The makers are currently fighting a court battle at the Madras High Court, where a connected petition is pending. The case is reportedly in its final phase and is expected to be settled soon. The makers of the Telugu drama are now looking to lock a favourable date for the film’s release. The plan was to release the film on December 19, but it was scrapped due to the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash on the same day. The Hollywood release is expected to take over a major chunk of screens in India and globally, reducing the number of screens available for the Telugu drama overseas. Currently, the makers are planning a Christmas release to tap into the holiday season. Release of Balakrishna’s Akhanda 2: Thaandavam postponed Taking to its X timeline on December 4, 14 Reels Plus, the production house behind the film, wrote, “With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that #Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances. This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film.” The production house added, “We are working tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. Your support means the world to us. We promise to share a positive update very soon.” About Akhanda 2 A newly released teaser has only added to expectations. It shows the country’s enemies conspiring to strike at India’s roots, followed by Balakrishna dressed as a sadhu, saying in his inimitable style, “Where there is bad, parallely, there is God! Be brave.” The teaser reinforces what the trailer showcased — that Balakrishna’s character has a divine force within him, taking on powerful black-magic sorcerers aiding India’s enemies. It offers a glimpse of the high-octane action sequences awaiting audiences. It is evident from the teaser that Balakrishna’s character will take on both the country’s enemies and the ungodly forces threatening peace and harmony in Akhanda 2: Thaandavam. Produced on an ambitious scale by Raam Achanta and Gopichand Achanta under the 14 Reels Plus banner, the project is presented by M. Tejaswini Nandamuri.
07 December,2025 09:40 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFilmmaker S.S. Rajamouli penned an emotional note for Prabhas as the star reached Japan and was welcomed with overwhelming love from fans of the Baahubali franchise. In return, the actor said he was “missing you here” and added that they would visit together again. Prabhas took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of the letter by Rajamouli, which read: “Knowing you darling, if you’ve already tasted the love of the Japanese audience, you must be in tears right now.” “ I’ve visited Japan four times and every trip came with the same question again and again, when will Prabhas come here? The more they expressed their wish, the more I wanted you to experience the love they have for you, and for them to see how much you care for them too.” Rajamouli called Japan his “second home” and said he was happy that his “Baahubali” had finally arrived there. He also thanked his Japanese fans, writing, “Arigato gozaimasu.” “Finally, my Baahubali has arrived in my second home. I hope you enjoy Japan as much as I have enjoyed every visit. To all my Japanese friends, love you all. Arigato gozaimasu.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Prabhas (@actorprabhas) Responding to the note, Prabhas shared a picture from the trip and captioned the post: “Daaaarlingggggg ssrajamouli… love you so much. Missing you here in Japan… we’ll both come again.” Prabhas is in Japan for the official release of Baahubali: The Epic in Japan on December 12. At the special screening, Prabhas addressed the audience with a heartfelt smile with his warmth and loving words. He said, "Thanks for the love. After Baahubali, Rajamouli Garu, Shobhu Garu, and Lakshmi Garu (his wife), so everybody was speaking about you so beautifully, such beautiful fans, emotional people. And for the last 10 years, I've been hearing about Japan so much. So finally, I see you all. Thank you." He also expressed his excitement about fulfilling a long-cherished dream by visiting Japan and assured his fans of his affection, saying, "It was my dream to come to Japan and meet you all in person. And I hope, like Lakshmi Garu, I also come every year and meet you.” Prabhas is now gearing up for a mega lineup of exciting films that include the much-anticipated projects The Rajasaab, Spirit, Fauzi, Salaar: Part 2 – Shouryaanga Parvam, and Kalki 2898 AD Part 2. 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
06 December,2025 07:17 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSAs the film Pushpa: The Rule completed a year since its release in cinemas, actress Sreeleela celebrated one year of the song Kissik from the film with a string of memories featuring Allu Arjun and moments from the sets. Sreeleela took to Instagram, where she shared a slew of images and videos from the sets of the song. A few even featured Arjun and the director Sukumar. “1 year of KISSIK GRATEFUL,” she wrote as the caption, along with the track playing as the background score. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SREELEELA (@sreeleela14) Pushpa 2: The Rule was released in 2024. A sequel to Pushpa: The Rise, it is the second installment in the Pushpa film series. The film stars Allu Arjun in the titular role, alongside Rashmika Mandanna, Fahadh Faasil, Jagapathi Babu, Sunil and Rao Ramesh. It follows Pushpa Raj, a labourer-turned-red sandalwood smuggler, as he faces growing threats from his enemies, including SP Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat. The film set several box office records, grossing over Rs. 1,800 crore worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film in India, the highest-grossing Indian film of 2024, the second-highest-grossing Telugu film of all time, and the third-highest-grossing Indian film worldwide. Talking about Sreeleela, she will be seen in director Sudha Kongara's eagerly-awaited period film, Parasakthi, featuring actor Sivakarthikeyan in the lead. The actress has dubbed for her portions in the film. The makers had officially confirmed on October 21 this year that the unit had wrapped up the shooting of the film. In August, the unit wrapped up its Pollachi schedule. Parasakthi, which was tentatively being referred to as SK25 as it is Sivakarthikeyan’s 25th film, has music by G V Prakash and cinematography by experienced cameraman Ravi K Chandran. Stunts for the film are by Supreme Sundar. Sreeleela began her career as a child artist before making her lead debut in the 2019 film Kiss. She was then seen in Pelli SandaD, Dhamaka, Bhagavanth Kesari, Guntur Kaaram, and Mass Jathara. 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
06 December,2025 01:46 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSBoyapati Srinu's directorial Akhanda 2: Thaandavam faced a major roadblock after it was postponed on the day of its release. Produced by 14 Reels Plus, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, the film has been indefinitely postponed from its December 5 release at the last minute due to a court case by Eros International Media Limited over unpaid dues. Following the postponement, producer Suresh Babu recently spoke to the press, where he spoke about the financial aspect of things. Suresh Babu reacts to Akhanda 2 being postponed During the promotion of his upcoming film, Psych Siddhartha, Suresh was asked about Akhanda 2’s producers facing financial troubles at a press meet held in Hyderabad on Friday. Although the producer initially tried to dismiss the issue, saying that he had already helped and spoken to the team and assisted them in resolving it. Later, when pressed about Eros, Suresh said, “Those are all financial matters. They should not be discussed in the open. Unfortunately, the business part is going too much to the street. Everyone is pitching in to say, apparently, this is the issue; this much money. Why does it need to be discussed?” He also questioned why the audience needed to know these details, noting that financial issues like these are nothing new, saying, “The audience just needs to watch a film. Why are we giving those details? Everyone has these financial issues; they’re nothing new. If you plan it earlier, it’s usually sorted.” When questioned if the issue would be solved today in court, he said, “We wish, we wish it gets sorted out today.” Why is Akhanda 2 postponed? For the unversed, 14 Reels Entertainment Private Limited reportedly owes Eros International Media Limited around Rs 28 crore plus interest. Upon non-payment, Eros moved the Madras High Court to suspend the release of Akhanda 2 on December 5. The High Court passed an order to stop the release of the Balakrishna film till court clearance is given. Taking to its X timeline on Friday, 14 Reels Plus wrote, "With a heavy heart, we regret to inform you that Akhanda2 will not be releasing as scheduled due to unavoidable circumstances. This is a painful moment for us, and we truly understand the disappointment it brings to every fan and movie lover awaiting the film. We are working tirelessly to resolve the matter at the earliest. Our sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused. Your support means the world to us. We promise to share a positive update very soon."
05 December,2025 09:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSS Rajamouli's Varanasi has been making noise over a year before its release. The film which will be released in January 2027 stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead. According to industry sources, may fetch a staggering Rs 1000 crore for its global streaming rights. The film, slated to release in 2027, features Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles, along with Priyanka Chopra making her much-awaited return to Indian cinema. Varanasi's OTT deal It has been under a month since Rajamouli announced the title of his next magnum opus, yet Varanasi is already at the centre of massive anticipation. Driven not only by the director’s towering global reputation, the film also unites the star power of Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Understandably, despite being more than a year away from release, the film has triggered enormous pre-release buzz, with OTT giants reportedly racing to secure its digital rights. According to Hindustan Times, “Varanasi is the hottest property from India in the global streaming market. The film follows the immense success of RRR in the West and its historic Oscar win. Rajamouli’s previous film Baahubali 2 had also earned over 62 million dollars overseas, making the director a recognised name in global markets. Naturally, his next project has sparked a bidding war for digital rights, with trade sources stating that streaming platforms are considering Hollywood-level payouts. The final figure could go as high as Rs 1000 crore.” About grand Varanasi event If finalised, this deal would set a new benchmark for pre-release digital revenue for an Indian film. Combined with music, satellite, and theatrical distribution rights, Varanasi is already shaping up to be one of the biggest Indian films ever mounted. With over 50,000 fans in attendance, the Grand Globe Trotter Event at Ramoji Film City on November 15 became one of the largest live fan gatherings in Indian entertainment—showcasing a never-seen-before spectacle created solely for a film announcement. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s fierce first look as Kumbha and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ powerful portrayal of Mandakini have already been unveiled, igniting a social media frenzy and amplifying anticipation nationwide. Now, excitement has reached its peak as audiences await this epic cinematic marvel, set to hit the big screens in 2027.
05 December,2025 07:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
-1765128353567_d.png "Mammootty and Mohanlal")
-1764948788090_d.png "Akhanda 2")
