Director Abishan Jeevinth, the director of the superhit film 'Tourist Family', on Friday turned emotional, as he disclosed that something inside him had got healed when actor Suriya called him by name and said how much he liked his film. Taking to his timeline on X to share pictures of him and his team meeting actor Suriya, the young director, whose Tamil film 'Tourist Family' is setting cash registers to ring at the box office, wrote,"Don’t know how to explain it… but something inside me healed today. @Suriya_offl sir called my name and said how much he liked #touristfamily." don’t know how to explain it… but something inside me healed today. @Suriya_offl sir called my name and said how much he liked #touristfamily 🤍There’s a boy in me still watching v1000 for the 100th time. Today, that boy is crying with gratitude. Thank you sir 🤗 pic.twitter.com/WIbZo5kpUh — Abishan Jeevinth (@Abishanjeevinth) May 23, 2025 The director went on to say, "There’s a boy in me still watching v1000 (Vaaranam Aayiram) for the 100th time. Today, that boy is crying with gratitude. Thank you sir!" Meanwhile, Million Dollar Studios, one of the production houses that produced the film, announced on Friday that the film had now grossed over Rs 75 crores worldwide. #TouristFamily Hits 75+ CRORES WORLDWIDE GROSS 💥💥Overwhelmed with love ❤️ Thank you for making our wholesome family entertainer a worldwide success.Written & directed by @abishanjeevinth ✨A @RSeanRoldan musical 🎶@sasikumardir @SimranbaggaOffc @Foxy_here03… pic.twitter.com/D8IT1vIL31 — Million Dollar Studios (@MillionOffl) May 23, 2025 Taking to its timeline on X, it wrote, "#TouristFamily Hits 75+ CRORES WORLDWIDE GROSS. Overwhelmed with love. Thank you for making our wholesome family entertainer a worldwide success. Written & directed by @abishanjeevinth. A @RSeanRoldan musical." It may be recalled that prior to Suriya, several top professionals from across film industries have congratulated the young director and his unit. Those who have congratulated the film include Superstar Rajinikanth, ace director S S Rajamouli and actor and director Dhanush. S S Rajamouli, in his post on the film, had said, " Saw a wonderful, wonderful film Tourist Family. Heartwarming and packed with rib-tickling humor. And kept me intrigued from beginning till end. Great writing and direction by Abishan Jeevinth. Thank you for the best cinematic experience in recent years. Don’t miss it…" Saw a wonderful, wonderful film Tourist Family.Heartwarming and packed with rib-tickling humor. And kept me intrigued from beginning till end. Great writing and direction by Abishan Jeevinth.Thank you for the best cinematic experience in recent years.Don’t miss it… — rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) May 19, 2025 ‘Tourist Family’, which hit screens on May 1, is a feel-good family entertainer that features Sasikumar and Simran in the lead. It also features Yogi Babu, Mithun Jayashankar, Kamalesh, M.S. Bhaskar, Ramesh Thilak, Bhagavathi Perumal (Bucks), Ilango Kumaravel, and Sreeja Ravi among others. Aravind Viswanathan is the cinematographer of the film, which has music by Shaan Rahman. The film’s editing is by Bharath Vikraman, and art direction is by Rajkamal. Produced by Million Dollar Studios and MRP Entertainment, the film is backed by producers Nasareth Baslian, Mahesh Raj Baslian, and Yuvaraj Ganesan. 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
24 May,2025 02:41 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSFull-fledged shooting for director Anil Ravipudi's eagerly awaited film, tentatively being referred to as #Mega157 and featuring actors Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara in the lead, began on Friday in Hyderabad. Sources close to the unit disclosed that Anil Ravipudi had been eagerly waiting to direct his matinee idol Chiranjeevi. Sources also claimed that the Telugu Superstar had been equally keen to begin work on the film with the ace director, who has been delivering back-to-back blockbusters. On Friday, full-fledged shooting commenced with the unit shooting some crucial talkie portions. Sources also informed that the director was filming some important scenes on Chiranjeevi and others. Megastar Chiranjeevi is all set to bring the house down with laughter and charisma in this upcoming film. This marks a thrilling return to comedy for Chiranjeevi, a genre his fans have been eagerly waiting to see him embrace once again. The film, sources say, will be a film that will be a perfect blend of humour, heart, and high-energy action. The screenplay, meticulously penned by Anil Ravipudi himself, is designed to present Chiranjeevi in a fresh and dynamic avatar, combining laughter with emotions in a way that will resonate deeply with audiences across generations. Interestingly, Chiranjeevi plays a character called Shankar Varaprasad in this film. Produced by Sahu Garapati under the Shine Screens banner, in collaboration with Sushmita Konidela’s Gold Box Entertainments, and proudly presented by Archana, the film is being mounted on a grand scale. Cinematography for the film is by Sameer Reddy while Bheems Ceciroleo is scoring its music. Tammiraju is taking care of the film's editing. Writers S Krishna and G Adi Narayana have worked on the script, with S Krishna also serving as the executive producer. AS Prakash is the production designer. The makers are looking to release the movie for Sankranthi next year. 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
24 May,2025 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSNational Award winner Allu Arjun is undeniably one of the biggest superstars in the country, an icon who not only rules the hearts of the masses but also dominates the box office. While he is known for creating magic on screen, he is also a man who values gratitude, respect, and emotional integrity, qualities that define the man behind the star. Allu Arjun's heartwarming gift for first director Although Allu is an icon star, he has always stood out not just for his talent but for his unwavering loyalty to those who have been part of his journey. A beautiful example of this is the photograph of director Raghavendra Rao Garu displayed at the entrance of his office, bearing the title, "My First Director." The 'Pushpa' actor displayed a photograph of the filmmaker at the entrance of his office, along with the title, "My First Director." Not just that, as Raghavendra Rao Garu celebrated his birthday on Friday, AA posted a couple of behind-the-scenes pictures with the filmmaker over the years. "Wishing a very Happy Birthday to my guru ji @Ragavendraraoba garu! My first director. The man who launched me into films. Gratitude forever," he wrote as a birthday wish. Wishing a very Happy Birthday to my guru ji @Ragavendraraoba garu ! My first director . The man who launched me into films . Gratitude forever 🖤 pic.twitter.com/HdDXlzpj1Y — Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) May 23, 2025 Director Raghavendra Rao Garu directed Allu Arjun in his debut film, Gangotri (2003), as a lead. He played a significant role in shaping the icon star's early career, and Allu Arjun has never missed a chance to express his affection and respect for him, whether it’s through a heartfelt birthday wish or this touching tribute in his office. Allu Arjun's work front After the massive success of Pushpa 2, Allu Arjun has joined forces with Atlee for his next named 'AA22xA6'. On Wednesday, celebrity fitness trainer Lloyd Stevens gave a glimpse into AA's preparation for the role. He dropped a picture from Allu Arjun's intense workout session on social media, in which the actor had captured a photo of his fitness watch with Stevens in the background. The smartwatch revealed that AA had burned 295 kilocalories during his workout session with an average heart rate of 140 BPM. "@alluarjunonline POV," the caption read. Sun Group’s Kalanithi Maran has backed the project under the banner of Sun Pictures. Announcing the highly anticipated project in April this year, the makers wrote on X, “Gear up for the Landmark Cinematic Event.#AA22xA6 - A Magnum Opus from Sun Pictures”.
24 May,2025 08:19 AM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentPan-India actor Tamannaah Bhatia, who has been basking in the success of her dance numbers more than acting stints, has found herself at the centre of a controversy after she was chosen as the new face of the iconic Mysore Sandal Soap. She was roped in as the brand ambassador by the Karnataka government, whose decision, however, sparked criticism from some quarters, with many questioning why a Kannada actor was not chosen to represent instead. Netizens react to Tamannaah as Mysore Sandal Soap’s face One user wrote, “This soap has a legacy and decades of loyal customers. I don’t understand what Tamanna brings to the table or how much she’ll actually improve the business—she’s not a household name across Karnataka, forget India.” “A classic case of intentional miscasting, choosing a brand ambassador who neither aligns with nor understands the legacy they’re meant to represent,” added another. One user commented, “What happened to Kannadiga pride!? Getting a Sindhi woman from Mumbai to be the face of Mysore Sandal! Hypocrites!!!!” Why was Tamannaah chosen? Following the backlash, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil stated that "the decision was made considering the actress's wide appeal, strong digital presence, and her ability to connect with the younger generation." #WATCH | Bengaluru: On controversy over Tamannaah Bhatia's appointment as the brand ambassador of Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Limited, which manufactures Mysore Sandal Soap, Karnataka Minister MB Patil says, "...We have a prolonged strategy to take up the total sales to Rs… pic.twitter.com/iSszBnwW4h — ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2025 "Our target is to reach Rs 5,000 crore in sales by 2030, and in this context, a strong marketing strategy becomes vital. This appointment was made based on recommendations from marketing experts," he highlighted. "Other leading celebrities such as Deepika Padukone, Rashmika Mandanna, Pooja Hegde, and Kiara Advani were also considered. However, after evaluating factors like ongoing brand endorsements, availability, and associated costs, Tamannaah was selected for her strong pan-India appeal, reasonable engagement terms, and remarkable digital reach with over 28 million followers," Patil said. Meanwhile, on the acting front, Tamannaah will be seen sharing screen space with Sidharth Malhotra in folk thriller 'VVAN,' which is set to be released in theatres on May 15, 2026. As per the makers, VVAN is set in the deep forests of Central India and is described as a mix of ancient legends, hidden temples, and adventure. It has been shot in real forest locations.
23 May,2025 04:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWhat took you more than 30 years to reunite with Mani Ratnam?’ This question has made a frequent appearance since Kamal Haasan kicked off the promotions for his next, Thug Life. When we express our curiosity, the superstar smiles before saying, “I’m almost tempted to request all of you not to ask that question because I can only say sorry, it’s our fault. We should have done it earlier.” In 1987, the two gave Indian cinema the much-loved Nayakan. Thirty-eight years later, as the actor reunites with one of his favourite filmmakers for the gangster action drama, he reveals that an encore was always on their mind. “Sometimes, we were thinking too big, and at other times, we would think something small and then [shoot it down] believing that these are the days of big films. Sometimes, I’d come up with an idea, and Mani would already be working on something else, and vice versa. But we were gently, subconsciously, and from a distance, inspiring each other,” grins the actor. A still from Thug Life That decades-long inspiration has resulted in Thug Life, which also stars Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Ali Fazal, and Sanya Malhotra. How was it working together considering they both have come a long way from Nayakan? Haasan is an even bigger star today, and Ratnam, one of the greatest filmmakers in the country. Did the actor try to impress his director this time? “I can’t impress the director; the character can. He booked Kamal Haasan not because of the stardom. Left to us, I think we are both overpaid. But then if we let that go, they [the industry] won’t respect us. So, we will take our cut.” This time around, their collaboration has also taken a different turn. Haasan not only leads the June 5 release, but has also co-written and co-produced it with Ratnam. And he firmly believes that nobody else could’ve done justice to the film as far as production is concerned. Kamal Haasan’s second collaboration after their gem, Nayakan The superstar states, “[We are the kind] who will put our money into the film. Suppose all that we have shot is destroyed, we won’t panic. We will go ahead, put our own money, and do it [again]. Another producer could not have taken the pressure of Thug Life. We made some difficult decisions.” Production and direction were a natural graduation for the actor. It all stems from his endless love for movies and deep respect for the craft. His passion is evident as he says, “I never walk out of a film because that would [mean] insulting my peers. We’ve made stupid films. When I say that, I don’t include Mani’s films in it. But I have, because I needed finance for my own productions.” That is a career lesson Haasan learnt from late actor and filmmaker Shashi Kapoor. “He would be singing a song on top of an elephant in Shaan [1980], and the same elephant would be beside him in Junoon [1978]. I had asked him, ‘Can I also [juggle mainstream and parallel cinema]?’ He said, ‘Sure. It’s pragmatism. Don’t mistake it for valour.’ Some of the great Italian directors did commercial films, made money out of them, and [used that] to make films that would live on.” Kamal Haasan Wise career lessons, unmatched talent, and a progressive worldview have come together to shape Haasan’s enviable filmography that spans over six decades and different branches of filmmaking. Through his films, he has positioned himself as an artiste who often mirrors society’s fractured reality. In Nayakan, he showed the perils of violence. But today, how does he view Indian storytelling’s penchant for violence and the audience’s love for it? He points to a chapter in history to make his case. “You know, after the Second World War, America kept making musicals; they didn’t want any violence. Now we’ve had enough peace. Now, the time of violence has begun, and that’s reflecting on screen. Earlier, the angry young man was only angry; now he will become violent if his voice is not heard. At least, a soapbox oratory should be allowed in front of the Red Fort. Listening to [the common man’s] voice is what great leaders have always done. After Partition, look at the kind of films we made — Naya Daur [1957] and Waqt [1965]. Even now, cinema is reflecting society, and [the violent films imply] that society has become violent. If you want proof, watch any television channel.”
23 May,2025 03:02 PM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaTelugu Star Jr NTR, who was flooded with loving messages and greetings from fans from all across the country on the occasion of his birthday, says that he is overwhelmed by the positivity and the love that he has been receiving from every quarter of the country. The actor on Tuesday celebrated his 42nd birthday. To mark his birthday celebrations, the unit of his upcoming film, 'War 2' released an explosive teaser of the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. Jr NTR says he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of appreciation coming his way for War 2. “It is truly a blessing to be an actor because you get to experience so much unconditional love from people. It is a very precious and a rare feeling and I’m really lucky to be receiving the same for War 2. This YRF Spy Universe film presents me in an all new avatar which I had a lot of fun portraying and I’m overwhelmed with the positivity and the love coming in from every quarter of the country,” he said. The actor also said he was thrilled to witness the unanimously positive response to War 2 after giving every drop of emotion and energy he had within himself for the big screen entertainer. “This character is extremely special to me. When you give so much emotion, so much intensity and energy to your role, it is all the more exciting to see this kind of response from my fans, from people who love to see good cinema on the big screen,” he said and added, “YRF Spy Universe has always created new cinematic and box office benchmarks and I’m really happy to see the start of our campaign making this huge a mark on people. Can’t wait to see the madness unfold in theatres from August 14.” It may be recalled that the actor had also taken to his timeline on X to thank his fans for their constant presence and heartfelt wishes for his birthday. The actor, in a poster, he posted on his X timeline said, "Sometimes I pause and look back at this journey and every time, it's you who come to mind first. Thank you my dear fans for your constant presence and heartfelt wishes." He also went on to say, "The response to the War 2 teaser has been incredible. I can't wait for you to experience it on August 14th. A big thank you to all my well wishers, media and colleagues in the industry for your warm wishes. Grateful, always." “War 2”, which is directed by Ayan Mukherji, is slated to release on August 14. Produced by Aditya Chopra, War 2 stars Kiara Advani as the female lead. The film is set to release on August 14 in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. 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
23 May,2025 11:46 AM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Ravi Mohan's personal life has been in the spotlight for several months now. The actor first announced his separation from Aarti in September. This was followed by both individuals publicly hurling accusations at each other. Amid this turmoil, Ravi Mohan was also seen attending a wedding with his rumoured girlfriend, Keneesha Francis. Keneesha Francis reacts to abusive messages Now, Keneesha has taken to Instagram Stories, claiming that she has been receiving abusive messages and death threats. She also shared screenshots of the disturbing messages flooding her inbox. Keneesha Francis wrote on Instagram,"I'm not turning off my comments or running away. I have nothing to hide from anybody. You have the right to question my actions, but please come do it to my face. I'm happy to show each one of you — in public — my side of the story and how one person's falsification became your truth. Please take me to court if you're confident that I'm even a catalyst to anything that is happening around me now. I beg you — take me to court! Do it rightfully!" She continued,"Have any of you paused to think about what I'm going through with your curses and abuse? You speak of karma to hurt me, but when the truth comes out — legally and legitimately — I won't wish that same pain upon you." Kenessha says she is ready for lawful punishment Keneesha also shared multiple screenshots of the messages she has been receiving in her Instagram inbox. To all the messages, she responded with the phrase: "I surrender." In another Instagram Story, Keneesha stated that if her actions are wrong, she is ready to face legal consequences, "I understand that because most of you don't know my truth and pain, words like this — and worse — are easy to lay upon me. I'm sorry your assumptions are hurting you. But I pray to the Gods of light that someday soon, the truth will unfold. If I'm wrong, I'm ready to be punished by law. Until then, can I be allowed to breathe without hatred?" About Ravi Mohan and Aarti's Divorce Amid ongoing tensions, the couple appeared before the Chennai Family Court on May 21 and filed individual petitions for divorce. At the hearing, Ravi Mohan reiterated his intention to proceed with the divorce, while Aarti demanded Rs 40 lakh as monthly alimony. Ravi also urged the court to reject Aarti's plea for cohabitation. The court adjourned the matter until June 12 and asked both parties to reconsider their pleas. Earlier, when Ravi Mohan initially filed for divorce, the court directed them to attend counselling sessions, which they have been complying with as per court orders.
23 May,2025 10:24 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter "Pushpa 2: The Rule", Allu Arjun is all ready to treat the movie buffs with another exciting avatar in Atlee's next, tentatively titled "AA22xA6". As part of his preparation for the role, AA is undergoing a massive physical transformation, and he is being guided in his journey by celebrity fitness trainer Lloyd Stevens. Giving the InstaFam a sneak peek into his prep, Stevens took to his Instagram handle and dropped a picture from AA's intense workout session. AA captured a photo of his fitness watch with Stevens in the background. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lloyd Stevens (@lloydstevenspt) The smartwatch showed that the 'Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo' actor had burned 295 kilocalories while sweating it out in the gym with an average heart rate of 140 BPM, and BPM ranging between 101 and 167. "@alluarjunonline POV," Stevens mentioned in the caption. Before AA, the celebrity trainer helped Ranveer Singh, NTR, and Mahesh Babu achieve their desired look for a role. He worked with NTR in SS Rajamouli's "RRR", co-starring Ram Charan. If the reports are to be believed, the untitled drama will feature Allu Arjun in a dual role, in contrast to the earlier buzz of the movie having two heroes. AA's team confirmed that "AA22xA6" will only have Allu Arjun as the lead. Produced by Sun Group’s Kalanithi Maran under the banner Sun Pictures, the makers announced the highly anticipated project in April this year. Taking to its X timeline, the production banner wrote, “Gear up for the Landmark Cinematic Event.#AA22xA6 - A Magnum Opus from Sun Pictures”. They further dropped an announcement video in which the world-class technicians working on the film shared their thoughts about the script. VFX supervisor James Madigan, known for films like "Iron Man 2" and "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" stated, “I just got done reading the script and I got to say, my head is still spinning.” Academy award winner and Fractured FX artistic director and CEO Justin Raleigh added, "Reading through it (the script), very excited about all the creature potential. All the different character potential.” 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
22 May,2025 03:13 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSActor Ravi Mohan, popularly known as Jayam Ravi, has been in the headlines since he announced his separation from his wife Aarti in September last year. At the time, Aarti revealed that the announcement was made without her knowledge and that she was blindsided by the development. Amid ongoing tensions, the couple appeared before the Chennai family court on May 21 and filed individual petitions for divorce. Since their separation, the two have been making public statements and accusations against each other. Ravi Mohan and Aarti's divorce hearing At the Chennai Family Court, Ravi Mohan reiterated his intention to proceed with the divorce. Aarti, meanwhile, demanded ₹40 lakh as monthly alimony. During the hearing, Ravi urged the court to reject Aarti's plea for cohabitation. The court adjourned the matter until June 12 and asked both parties to reconsider their pleas. Earlier, when Ravi Mohan initially filed for divorce, the court directed them to attend counseling sessions, which they have been attending as per the court’s orders. Ravi Mohan and Aarti’s marital dispute In September 2024, Ravi Mohan announced his separation from Aarti. Recently, he made headlines again due to his closeness with Kenishaa Franciss. As the internet buzzed with speculation about their relationship, the actor released a four-page statement addressing the public narrative. He criticized his estranged wife for making false accusations and clarified his friendship with Kenishaa, stating that he supported her during a difficult time. Meanwhile, on May 20, Aarti shared a post suggesting that a “third person” was the cause of their marital breakdown. Though she didn’t name Kenishaa directly, it was clear who she was referring to. An excerpt from her statement read,“The truth needs to be said—once and for all. Money, power, interference, or control—none of these are why our marriage suffered. There is a third person in our marriage. What broke us wasn’t something between us—it was someone outside. The ‘light of your life’ brought only darkness into ours. That’s the truth. This person was already in the picture long before any divorce papers were filed. This isn’t guesswork. I have proof.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aarti Ravi (@aarti.ravi)
22 May,2025 02:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe problem of drug consumption in the Kerala film industry has become a topic of discussion lately, with multiple raids by state officials and names like Shine Tom Chacko and Khalid Rahman being questioned by concerned authorities. Now, producer and actor Sandra Thomas has spoken out about the normalization of drug use on film sets in the state. 'Special budget for drugs': Sandra Thomas Sandra claimed that special rooms are being allotted for the purpose of illegal drug consumption. In an interview with Onmanorama, she reportedly said, “A special budget is being allotted exclusively for this (drugs). Even separate rooms are allotted for this purpose.” She also said that the industry associations have failed to recognize the issue or take appropriate action. Sandra first raised concerns about the same issue nearly two years ago, in 2023. She said that despite being vocal about it, the situation in the industry has only worsened. She further added that many insiders are aware of the growing problem but refuse to act. “Producers are unwilling to raise a complaint because they fear it will stall their projects,” she explained, adding that being associated with drug-related controversies can ruin an actor's reputation and lead to delays in shooting. Sandra implied that drug use is rampant, with easy availability, and is not limited to a specific group. “Drugs are now openly available on sets and used by people of all genders and statuses,” she said. Recent drug raid in Kerala This comes a month after actor Shine Tom Chacko, director Khalid Rahman, and rapper Vedan were taken into custody for drug consumption. Recently, Shine Tom Chacko was interrogated for about four hours in connection with a drug case that surfaced following a complaint by actress Vincy Aloshious, who alleged that a co-star misbehaved with her on a film set. Vincy accused Shine of misconduct during the shoot of the film Soothravakyam last year. Although she initially withheld his name, she later identified Chacko and alleged that he spat a white powdery substance at her. Aloshious had filed a complaint with the Kerala Film Chamber on the condition that the accused’s name remain confidential. However, Chamber General Secretary Saji Nandiyattu later revealed Chacko’s identity to the media and promised that action would be taken. Following the disclosure, Aloshious expressed disappointment over the breach of trust and announced that she would no longer cooperate with the inquiry. Earlier this month, Chacko’s name also surfaced during the interrogation of an arrested female drug peddler, who claimed to have supplied narcotics to both Chacko and actor Sreenath Bhasi. The woman and her associates are currently in judicial custody. Following her arrest, the Excise Department announced that notices would be issued to both actors.
22 May,2025 02:27 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Kayadu Lohar made a splash in the film industry with her debut Tamil movie Dragon co-starring Pradeep Ranganathan. Not only did she receive immense love from the audience, but her work was appreciated by the industry, and she was offered multiple projects. While she was recently in news for her work, now she has come under the radar of the Enforcement Directorate(ED) in connection with the TASMAC scam. Kayadu Lohar under ED scanner As per reports, Kayadu Lohar is being investigated for an alleged link with the Tasmac scam. The actress's name reportedly came up after individuals associated to the scam and caught during the ED raid named her. The reports claim that Loar was paid Rs 35 lakh to attend night parties. Kayadu on her fame with Dragon Actress Kayadu Lohar made her debut in Tamil cinema with director Ashwath Marimuthu’s blockbuster ‘Dragon’. Following the film's release, she took to her Instagram timeline and wrote a post titled, ‘The film that has changed my life – Dragon’. “I remember Ashwath giving me the first narration on a Zoom call and it was for Keerthi. I was very excited …for something really solid to perform and then didn’t hear back from him …to be honest I felt a little bad. Thought I (had) lost the project but it had it’s own reason,” she began and went on to say that a month later, Ashwath again reconnected with her but this time, he narrated about the character of Pallavi in the film. “After he finished narrating, I was a bit confused as to why Pallavi and not Keerthi. The meeting got over and he left … Within five minutes, he came back and I still remember what he said. ‘Kayadu, ‘Dragon’ and Pallavi will change everything for you. Don’t think that it’s two heroines… That this one has more importance than that one. I promise you, I’ll show you in a way that people will fall in love with you and Pallavi. And he did,” she recalled. Stating that Ashwath Marimuthu’s films always have well written women characters, Kayadu said Ashwath he gave her one such character. “After hearing the story twice and understanding the whole narrative of the film and the character Pallavi, I wouldn’t have missed the chance to be a part of this film for the world. Thank you, Ashwath for giving me Pallavi; For keeping up with all the promises you made. For going out of your way and giving me the perfect debut… that tells a lot about you…the love that you have for your artistes and giving them the best and not thinking about anything else but purely for the love for Cinema. I’ll always be grateful to you,” she wrote. Next, she wrote about her co-star Pradeep Ranganathan, saying it was rare to find a genuine friend like him as he wished only the best for his co-stars and makes an effort to make sure that they give their best. “You have been nothing but selfless, pouring all your knowledge, experience and the lessons that you learnt your way up …. and that will always be pinned in my mind. I remember we-- from not at all talking on the set to now literally discussing scripts and stories and talking about cinema-- and how both of us always have a bigger picture in mind and (do) not settle for anything mediocre,” Kayadu wrote. Calling Pradeep a super talented, phenomenal actor, she said he was an amazing co-star to work with. “I had the best time shooting in Europe. And yes sir, I hope in future I get a chance to work under your direction sir. Waiting for the call sir. Thank you Pradeep for everything that you have done for me,” she said.
22 May,2025 09:08 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
