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After Karur stampede, another fan dies at Vijay's TVK rally in Salem

Actor 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 correspondent
Dhanush

Dhanush receives Rs 20 crore notice for abandoning 2016 film

Tamil 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 correspondent
Malavika Mohanan

Malavika Mohanan clarifies stunt controversy around The RajaSaab with proof

Malavika 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 correspondent
L-Dil Raju; R- Yash

Dil Raju makes big claims after investing Rs 120 crore on Yash's Toxic

Yash-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 correspondent
Saurabh Sachdeva

Saurabh Sachdeva joins Fahadh Faasil’s Telugu drama Don't Trouble The Trouble

Bollywood 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 correspondent
Allu Sirish commences wedding festivities

Allu Sirish begins wedding festivities, Allu Arjun gives it a miss

Actor 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 correspondent
Mammootty and Mohanlal in Patriot

Patriot BTS: Mammootty and Mohanlal shoot together at Sri Lankan airbase

The makers of director Mahesh Narayanan's eagerly-awaited thriller Patriot, featuring both superstars of Malayalam cinema, Mammootty and Mohanlal, have now released a Behind The Scenes (BTS) video made using clips shot on the sets of the film while the crew was shooting in Sri Lanka. Taking to his X timeline, actor Mohanlal wrote, "Patriot Behind The Scenes: Srilanka. In Cinemas Worldwide from April 23 , 2026."  #Patriot Behind The Scenes : SrilankaIn Cinemas Worldwide from April 23 , 2026https://t.co/36gWdfcsuo — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) February 12, 2026 The BTS video released had visuals shot on an airbase, filled with choppers, planes and fighter aircraft. The BTS video also showed glimpses of Mohanlal and Mammootty on the airbase, highlighting the fact that the two legends of Malayalam cinema were coming together after 18 years.  One interesting visual showed Fahaadh Faasil sitting inside the cockpit of a fighter aircraft with a professional explaining to him about the controls of the aircraft. It may be recalled that actor Fahadh Faasil had recently disclosed that he plays the villain in the film.  Fahadh, who participated in an event recently, made this disclosure on stage. "I play the villain in Patriot," he said and went on to also confirm that there would be a second part to his blockbuster film Aavesham. "Yes, Aavesham 2 is there. That is a question that people ask me everywhere I go. Hopefully, (in) 2027 or 2028," he said. For the unaware, Patriot is scheduled to hit screens worldwide on April 23 this year. The makers of Patriot have confirmed that Mohanlal has completed dubbing for his portions in the film. On the film's official Instagram handle, the makers recently posted a video clip of Mohanlal flashing the thumbs up sign after dubbing and wrote, "Some voices do not just speak, they define moments. Mohanlal has completed dubbing for Patriot. In Cinemas Worldwide from April 23. Mohanlal AntoJoseph AntoJosephFilmCompany Patriot MaheshNarayanan." On January 4 this year, the makers of the film had announced that the unit had wrapped up the film's shooting. They wrote, "That’s a wrap. Blood, sweat, belief. PATRIOT marches on. See you on the Big screen." They also shared a BTS video of all the stars on the sets on the occasion. The film, which has triggered huge expectations ever since it was announced, also features acclaimed actors Fahadh Faasil, Kunchacko Boban, Nayanthara, and Revathy in addition to the two Malayalam superstars. A teaser which the makers released last year went on to amplify the expectations of fans and film buffs. The teaser begins with a voiceover which says, " I remember there was a time when this nation was controlled by the two of them. Together. Over these years, what they earned wasn't just followers. Faith. Trust." We then see a series of intriguing but intense scenes and hear Mammootty's voice say, "They are going to bring social score to people." We next hear Mohanlal, who appears to play an army general in the film, say, "There are three of us. Do you think you can stop us?" The teaser then gives us an idea that there is a program called Periscope and that Kunchacko Boban plays a character called Daniel. Nayanthara is heard asking, "This program, which is part of the student laptop scheme. Is that similar to Periscope?" We also hear another voice, asking,"Is this program watching them secretly?" The teaser ends with Mammootty asking someone to complete the sentence, "Great Indian traitor... or Patriot." Overall, the teaser gives the impression that the film will revolve around a group of socially responsible individuals trying to thwart an illegal attempt by the government to monitor its citizens. 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

13 February,2026 10:23 AM IST | Chennai | IANS
Ram Charan and Upasana

Ram Charan and Upasana reveal names of their newborn twins

Ram Charan and his wife, Upasana Kamineni Konidela, are on cloud nine as they have become parents once again. The couple welcomed twins, a boy and a girl, marking a new chapter in their personal lives. While they announced the birth with a heartfelt video capturing their journey, the couple have now revealed the names of their newborns, rooted in tradition, legacy, and spirituality. Ram Charan, Upasana’s twins’ names revealed According to a report in Variety India, the couple has named their newborn twins Shivram and Anveera Devi. They reportedly held a naming ceremony in the presence of close family members. Sharing the experience, the RR actor told the portal, “Naming them was a deeply personal and spiritual decision for both of us. Upasana and I discussed it extensively, but our parents were very much part of the journey.”           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Ram Charan (@alwaysramcharan) Explaining the names of their children, Charan remarked, “Our son’s name, Shivram, reflects two eternal ideals – Lord Shiva and Lord Rama – strength with restraint, devotion with righteousness. It also carries forward my father’s birth name, Shiv Shankar Vara Prasad, so there’s lineage and gratitude woven into it.” Talking about naming their daughter Anveera Devi, the actor added, “It represents boundless courage and divine feminine strength. ‘Veera’ signifies bravery, and ‘An’ expands it to something limitless. The ‘Devi’ is intentional – a reminder that strength and grace can co-exist. For us, these names are not just identifiers. They are aspirations of strength, love, and courage.” Upasana on embracing motherhood for the second time “The first time, everything is new – beautiful, but overwhelming. This time, I feel much more relaxed and grounded. I’ve learned to let go of a lot, and now I don’t panic over the small things anymore. Stability, routine, and unconditional love – that’s really all the little ones need right now. Managing twins is magical. I’m only a week into it, so I don’t want to speak too soon – but there’s an extraordinary sense of fulfillment watching all three of my children together… Ram has been incredibly hands-on, especially with Kaara,” she said. For the unversed, Ram Charan and Upasana, who tied the knot in Hyderabad in 2012, became parents for the first time in 2023. They welcomed daughter Klin Kaara Konidela. Notably, they have been particular about her privacy and have refrained from circulating her pictures online.

13 February,2026 08:46 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Amruta Fadnavis

Amruta Fadnavis unveils her song Shambhu Re, marking her bhakti to Lord Shiva

Presented by T-Series, the soulful Amruta Fadnavis unveils her latest devotional offering, Shambhu Re - a stirring bhajan dedicated to Lord Shiva. Rooted in devotion and elevated by heartfelt musical expression, the track captures the timeless essence of Shiva bhakti, invoking peace, strength, and spiritual stillness. Amruta Fadnavis unveils Shambhu Re Featuring meaningful lyrics penned by Shrijan and music composed by renowned Monty Sharma, Shambhu Re stands out for its emotional depth and purity. The bhajan is accompanied by a visually serene music video directed by Rajeev Walia, showcasing Amruta Fadnavis performing the track with divinity, grace, and heartfelt devotion - making it a complete spiritual experience for listeners and viewers alike. With its soulful melody and meditative energy, the bhajan invites devotees to surrender into faith and feel a deeper connection with Lord Shiva. Amruta Fadnavis about her new song Speaking about the devotional song, Amruta Fadnavis shared, “Shiva is not just a part of my faith - He is an emotion. Shambhu Re is my way of expressing that love and gratitude towards him. Every time I sing for Mahadev, it feels like I’m speaking to Him directly. Even while shooting the video, I didn’t feel like I was performing - it genuinely felt like a moment of bhakti and surrender. I hope this bhajan and the visuals bring peace to everyone who listens and watches it, the same way Shiva’s presence brings peace to me.” With this release, Amruta continues her journey of creating music that is deeply rooted in Indian devotional tradition, while resonating with today’s audiences who seek comfort, strength, and divinity through sound. Shambhu Re is now available across all major streaming platforms, and its official music video is available exclusively on the T-Series YouTube channel. About Amruta's last song  In March last year, Amruta Fadnavis had released her song titled ‘Laal Ferrari’ . The song also featured Shruti Sinha and Sanam Johar, and talks about speed, passion, and an unstoppable energy that will leave you breathless. The song had been crooned by Amruta Fadnavis, with music composed by Aditya Dev, and the lyrics furnished by Shabbir Ahmed. Talking about the song, Amruta Fadnavis had said in a statement, “‘Laal Ferrari’ is a song that carries so much power and excitement. The moment I stepped into the studio, I could feel its energy. Aditya’s music and Shabbir’s lyrics bring this fiery world to life, and I wanted my vocals to match that intensity. I think listeners will feel that same adrenaline rush when they hear it.” The music video of the song is directed by Rajit Dev, and is drenched in shades of red, the colour of intensity, love, and unfiltered adrenaline.

12 February,2026 09:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nani

Nani's The Paradise release gets postponed to August, check out release date

Nani's next film The Paradise has been making noise ever since it was announced. The makers have announced a new release date for the film. The film which was earlier scheduled to be released in March, has been deferred by five months. Directed by Srikanth Odela, The Paradise features Telugu star Nani in the lead, with Raghav Juyal as the villain. Nani announces new release date for The Paradise On Wednesday, Nani took to his X timeline to share the announcement poster. He wrote, "August 21st. 2026. JadalZamanaFromAug21 TheParadise." It may be recalled that The Paradise, which is backed by SLV Cinemas, was originally set for a grand release on March 26, 2026. August 21st.2026#JadalZamanaFromAug21 #TheParadise pic.twitter.com/rQyeumsnXf — Nani (@NameisNani) February 12, 2026 The new date picked by the unit for the release thrusts The Paradise straight into a rare three-week festival wave. The first week gets a strong mid-week boost with Onam and Milad-un-Nabi, followed by Raksha Bandhan in the second weekend, and Janmashtami in the third. For a high-budget spectacle of this scale, this extended holiday stretch offers an exceptional runway at the box office. Meanwhile, the team is currently shooting one of the film’s biggest highlights- Nani’s explosive introduction song, set on a gigantic set with hundreds of dancers. Rockstar Anirudh Ravichander has composed an intense, high-voltage mass number that matches Nani’s raw, energetic style. Choreographer Sudhan Master is crafting large-scale, dynamic visuals to turn the song into a complete crowd-pleaser. Sources in the film unit say that Nani is turning up the heat on the sets of his ambitious film 'The Paradise'. Shooting, they point out, is progressing at a brisk pace. It may be recalled that only recently, the makers of the film had disclosed that actor Sampoornesh Babu plays a character called 'Biryani' in the film. The film has triggered huge expectations among fans and film buffs for a number of reasons.  Well-known Bollywood actor Raghav Juyal who is enjoying his success after Kill and Bads of Bollywood, too, is a part of 'The Paradise'. It may be recalled that the makers of the film had welcomed actor Raghav on board the film's unit last year. He will be seen donning a new look for the film.  It is to be released in eight languages, namely Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, English, Spanish, Bengali, Kannada, and Malayalam. (with inputs from IANS)

12 February,2026 08:06 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Mahesh Babu

Varanasi's massive budget hints at being the most expensive Indian film

SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated next, Varanasi, continues to keep the audience hooked. Starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film has already completed a year in production, as it eyes for April 7, 2027 release date. Meanwhile, the budget of the ambitious project has been revealed and it hints that the film could become the most expensive film to be ever made in the country. Varanasi budget revealed If reports are to be believed, the grand film is reportedly mounted on a massive Rs 1,400 crore budget. With a colossal film like that, it is being positioned among the most expensive Indian films ever made. Recently, an international profile revealed the project’s estimated cost at USD 150 million (around Rs 1,400 crore). The massive scale of the film alone signals at Rajamouli’s continued ambition to take Indian epic storytelling and present it with Hollywood spectacle. With that, Rajamouli has also broken his own record by recording the budget of his new offering higher than that of his last. His last film, RRR, was made on a budget of USD 72 million (Rs 550 crores), which was inflated due to its extensive VFX and massive action sequences.  During a recent interview with Variety, Priyanka Chopra spoke about her personal and professional choices, revealing why she signed up for Varanasi, and more. Talking about the film, she said, "This is unlike anything I’ve ever done. We travel from like Antarctica to … And just the worlds that he creates are so larger than life, and nobody has the vision that he does. So even I’m excited to see more.” About Varanasi The details about the plot in Varanasi have been kept tightly under wraps. The film is believed to be a sweeping time-travel cinematic spectacle. It will reportedly feature a grand 25-minute Ramayana battle sequence. Beyond its technical scale, the film also carries emotional weight. Varanasi marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema after decades of focusing on her Hollywood ventures, thus making it one of the most closely watched homecomings in recent years. The film is believed to be gearing up for a theatrical release of April 7, 2027.

12 February,2026 06:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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