As the tensions in West Asia continue to escalate, the constant air strikes between the US, Israel and Iran have affected the entire Gulf region and the airways in the passage. Due to the situation, several citizens were stranded in Dubai and other cities in the region after the airspace was effectively shut down by the countries. The stranded people are now being evacuated from the war-affected areas. Likewise, Tamil superstar Ajith, who was also stranded in Dubai for many days, has now safely returned to Chennai. Ajith returns to India safely Ajith was spotted at the arrival gate of Chennai International Airport on Tuesday evening. After landing, he was seen sitting in his car while the paps tried hard to get his reaction. It must be noted that Ajith came back to Chennai 12 days after the airstrikes between the US, Israel and Iran. Ajith sir at Chennai airport.| #AK #Ajith #Ajithkumar | #AK64 | pic.twitter.com/1S5Qg7kOee — Ajith (@ajithFC) March 10, 2026 The actor was reportedly travelling between Saudi Arabia and Dubai for his professional motorsports commitments when the restrictions came into effect. Due to the suspension of flights, he had to return from the airport and stay in Dubai until services resumed. Earlier, the news about Ajith stranded in Dubai went viral on social media. His manager had informed Times Now that the actor was expected to leave on February 28 but he had to return from the airport due to security concerns. The manager assured fans, “Ajith is safe in Dubai.” Ajith had moved to Dubai For the unversed, Ajith is often seen visiting Dubai for his racing events. Notably, he actively completed endurance events. He has even secured a podium finish (third place) in the 991 category at the 2025 24H race despite recovering from a practice crash. In an earlier interview, Ajith spoke about moving to Dubai for a quiet and simple life. He revealed that he wants to stay away from all the noise. Additionally, the major motorsports events happen in Dubai, which helps him stay closer to his passion. During an interview back in 2024, Ajith had said, "I moved to Dubai for that reason. To stay away from all the noise. I am primarily here for motor sports as the major circuits happen here. It is helping me. I am having to do everything by myself, and I am loving it."
11 March,2026 09:27 AM IST | MumbaiOnly a year after helming Phule (2025), director Ananth Mahadevan is bringing the tale of another social leader, Rashtrasant Tukdoji Maharaj, to the big screen. On March 9, the director kicked off his Marathi biopic, Khanjiriche Bol, which sees actor Prasad Oak step into Maharaj’s shoes. Speaking to mid-day from his shoot in Kolhapur, Mahadevan shared, “The film will depict how Tukdoji Maharaj overcame a traumatic childhood, then marshalled the villages of Maharashtra to [bring about] social equality and rural revolution. He steered the country towards a progressive outlook.” Active from 1937 till his demise in 1968, the leader worked towards rural upliftment and education, even writing the book Gramgeeta. He also aimed for the eradication of untouchability. While Khanjiriche Bol — that is being produced by Maharashtra Film, Stage & Cultural Development Corporation along with Shivam and Kartikee Yadav — will focus on his social messages, the director added that it will also touch upon the leader’s friendship with Mahatma Gandhi. “Tukdoji Maharaj stood by Gandhiji in the fight against untouchability. Gandhiji helped Tukdoji in enabling the Dalits to enter the Vitthal Temple in Pandharpur in October 1947.” Did you know? Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, had bestowed the title ‘Rashtrasant’ on Tukdoji Maharaj
11 March,2026 07:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBRAllu Arjun is all set to ring in his 44th birthday on April 8. The day is going to be extra special for the Pushpa actor, as the makers of AA22xA6 will drop a video asset revealing the title of the film. The teaser promises a first look at director Atlee’s ambitious VFX-driven universe, featuring never-seen-before avatars of Allu Arjun. AA22xA6 title reveal on Allu Arjun’s birthday As per a report in Variety India, the makers will reveal the film’s title through a specially created video asset on April 8, coinciding with the 44th birthday of its leading man. The title announcement video is expected to offer the first glimpse into Atlee’s ambitious cinematic world — a large-scale, VFX-heavy spectacle set in a parallel universe, further elevating anticipation around the film. “The title announcement video will blow everyone’s mind. It’s just a first look into the massive, unprecedented universe Atlee has created. It’s packed with cutting-edge visuals, showcasing Allu Arjun in avatars never seen before. Atlee has gone beyond expectations in crafting a one-of-a-kind spectacle for Indian cinema,” a source close to the development told the portal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) More about AA22xA6 Allu Arjun is playing four roles for the first time in his career in this film. He is playing the entire family tree — a grandfather, father, and two sons — making it a quadruple role for Allu. For the first time, fans will witness Rashmika as the negative lead. Rashmika, as the antagonist, will reportedly lock horns with Allu Arjun, Deepika Padukone, Janhvi Kapoor, and Mrunal Thakur. Speaking at a recent event, Atlee addressed the growing curiosity surrounding AA22xA6, acknowledging the anticipation while offering a glimpse into the intensity of the film’s development. “Every day, we are discovering something. I am aware of how everyone wants to hear about the film. And honestly, more than my audience, I am really waiting to tell them everything. We are spending sleepless nights working on it. We are readying something really big for everyone. And once it’s done, trust me, everyone will enjoy it to the maximum,” he said. Allu Arjun upcoming movies In addition, Allu Arjun will also be working with acclaimed director Lokesh Kanagaraj for AA23, another highly anticipated project that promises to further elevate the star’s cinematic journey. He is also in talks with Trivikram for a mega-budget project.
10 March,2026 10:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRanabaali, starring Vijay Deverakonda and backed by Mythri Movie Makers, is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. The film is a historical drama that aims to bring real-life incidents and lesser-known stories from India’s past to the big screen. It revolves around events that have rarely been spoken about, shedding light on forgotten chapters of history. With this project, Vijay Deverakonda will be seen stepping into a powerful role inspired by a lesser-known individual whose story deserves recognition. The anticipation around the film has increased significantly after the first glimpse was released. The visuals hint at a powerful narrative set during colonial India, promising an intense and emotionally charged cinematic experience. The makers appear to be aiming for a story that not only entertains but also reveals historical truths that many people may not be aware of. The true story that inspired Ranbaali Interestingly, the backdrop of Ranabaali connects to one of the deadliest chapters in Indian history. The story traces its roots to the great famine that killed more than 10 million Indians and exposed the brutal policies of the British Raj, which looted an estimated 45 trillion dollars from India. For years, historians have debated these figures, but the devastating impact of colonial policies has never been dismissed. One of the darkest chapters was the great famine between 1876 and 1878. In Rayalaseema, now part of Andhra Pradesh, repeated droughts had already weakened farmers. When the monsoons failed in 1876, starvation spread rapidly, yet grain exports continued. During this period, British official Sir Richard Temple imposed harsh austerity measures and famine camps with reduced rations to cut costs. Nearly seven lakh people died in Rayalaseema alone, while millions perished across India. This tragedy was not just a natural disaster but a crisis shaped by policy in the name of empire. And this is the world Ranabaali steps into. Starring Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, the film sheds light on the unorganized rebellions that emerged in famine-stricken Rayalaseema. These uprisings saw desperate communities raid hoarded grain, resist crushing tax demands, and fight for survival, only to be branded as criminals in British records. While their names rarely appear in colonial archives, Rayalaseema’s folklore still remembers these rebellions born out of famine and injustice. More about Ranbaali Directed by Rahul Sankrityan and produced by Y. Ravi Shankar and Naveen Yerneni of Mythri Movie Makers in association with T-Series, Ranabaali also stars Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead, marking her reunion with Vijay Deverakonda in what promises to be a compelling on-screen pairing. The film boasts a strong ensemble cast, including international actor Arnold Vosloo, further adding to its global appeal. Ranabaali is slated to release in theatres on September 11, 2026.
10 March,2026 04:58 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt has been rumoured that Suriya's upcoming Tamil film Karuppu will be hitting the theatres on April 10. However, there was no official announcement from the makers. Now, RJ Balaji has put out a video saying that they will be coming up with an update in this regard in a week to 10 days' time. RJ Balaji gives update on Karuppu On Tuesday, director RJ Balaji posted a video clip of himself giving an update on the film. In the video shared on Instagram, the director said, "I know a lot of Suriya sir's fans are disappointed because it has been a long wait. I too have been doing this for almost two years. So, your wait will be worth it. We have no intention of taking time. In a week to 10 days, we will be meeting you with an update on when the film is to release." He then went on to dismiss the rumours doing the rounds that the film would hit screens on April 10 this year. "Definitely it is not on April 10. Let me tell that to you now itself," he said, even as he kept driving his car. Trashing rumours that were doing the rounds in his own light-hearted way, the actor-director said that there were rumours that there was a fight going on between him and the producer, between the producer and the music director, fight between the producer with the producer himself. Laughing all that off, he said, "I understand that you all are disappointed because of having to wait for so long but you will all love the movie when it releases. I will be back with an update." 'Do not want to create hype': RJ Balaji It may be recalled that the director, who had participated in a college event that was held recently, had said, "Karuppu is ready for release. However, we do not want to create a hype as we don't want to make fans have huge expectations when they come to watch the film and be disappointed if the film falls short of such hyped up expectations. The movie has come out well and you will all like it. We intend to release the film after the elections this summer. It is a film which you can enjoy with your entire family. Students can enjoy it with their parents." View this post on Instagram A post shared by RJ Balaji (@irjbalaji) About Karuppu teaser The teaser begins with the deity of Karuppu being worshipped with chilli powder even as a voice says, "It's not a calm deity that you worship with grace. If you pray with sincerity and offer chillies, it's a fierce deity that will deliver instant justice." We then get introduced to Suriya's character in the film. We get to know he plays a lawyer called Saravanan and that he has another name -- Karuppu as well. The rest of the teaser shows that the film will be a proper commercial entertainer with a lot of action sequences in it. Suriya is also seen delivering several punch lines in the film. For instance, Suriya says, " Blast! My brother, this is our time, I'm gonna give you all a whacking." Actress Trisha plays the female lead in this film, which will also feature Malayalam actors Indrans, Sshivada, Swasika and Tamil actors Yogi Babu and cinematographer and actor Natty in pivotal roles.
10 March,2026 04:19 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo prominent names from the South film fraternity, Vijay Thalapathy and Trisha Krishnan, have been making headlines even since their recent appearance at a wedding reception together. Now, actress and politician Khushboo Sundar has shared her views on the matter during an exclusive conversation with IANS. Khushboo Sundar on the Vijay-Trisha controversy Discussing the controversy, Khushboo claimed that it is their personal life at the end of the day, and as long as their actions do not affect people, it should not be made a big deal. She was asked, "There is a lot of excitement about the elections in Tamil Nadu. The film star Vijay was recently seen at a function with Trisha Krishnan. What do you have to say about this incident?" Answering the question, Khushboo shared, "I don't understand what people have to do with this incident. It is their personal life. If their personal life affects people, we can talk about it. Their personal life has nothing to do with people. Why are people making it a big deal? They will see their own life. People are not affected in any way." She was further asked, "Do you think it will affect Vijay's popularity?" To this, Khushboo said that she does not believe that it will affect the Ghilli actor. "I think people are right when they vote. They know when to vote and where to vote," said Khushboo. She further went on to explain, "I don't think it will affect anyone's personal life. He is a human being. Whether he is a leader or not. He is a common man like us. He has nothing to do with people's personal life." About Vijay-Trisha controversy Thalapathy Vijay shocked everyone with his public appearance with actress Trisha at the wedding reception of Kalapathy Suresh’s son amid his ongoing divorce proceedings. The appearance was viewed as a statement to rumours of his extramarital affair with Trisha. Last month, Vijay's wife, Sangeetha, officially filed for divorce. The filing reportedly accused Vijay of infidelity and alleged that he was involved in an “adulterous relationship” with an actress. The petition also claims that since 2021, Vijay had emotionally withdrawn, treated his wife with verbal disdain, and subjected her to constructive desertion, forcing her to live separately within the matrimonial home. It further alleged that Vijay continued to travel abroad and attend public events with the said actress. The duo got married in August 1999, and they are parents to two kids, Jason Sanjay and Divya Shasha. Recently, it was reported that Vijay’s son, Jason Sanjay, may have unfollowed him on social media amid the ongoing legal battle between his parents.
10 March,2026 04:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMegastar Chiranjeevi on Tuesday penned an adorable birthday post for his daughter Sushmita Konidela, in which he said how her act of producing a film and giving him a blockbuster had made him proud in a very special way. Chiranjeevi sends birthday wishes to Sushmita Konidela Taking to his X timeline to post the greeting, the Telugu star wrote, "Happy Birthday my precious sushkonidela. From the little girl who once held my finger and walked beside me, to the strong, graceful and responsible woman you are today. One of the most special moments for me as a father was seeing you watching my films, now producing a film, and giving me a memorable blockbuster. That truly made me proud in a very special way. Wishing you good health, happiness and endless success in everything you do. Keep shining my dear Honey Papa. Lots of love and blessings always." Happy Birthday my precious @sushkonidela ❤️From the little girl who once held my finger and walked beside me, to the strong, graceful and responsible woman you are today.One of the most special moments for me as a father was seeing you watching my films, now producing a film,… pic.twitter.com/Z8FwhsXUrQ — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) March 10, 2026 It may be recalled that Sushmita Konidela had produced her dad Megastar Chiranjeevi's most recent blockbuster Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu. The producer, who shares a close bond with her father, had earlier this year disclosed how, if one had the desire to learn, one could learn a lesson from her father everyday. During a recent interaction in January this year, Sushmita Konidela was asked about working with her father, Chiranjeevi, who is an inspiration to many, and the lessons she had learnt by working with him in this film. Responding to the question, Sushmita had said that if one had the desire to learn, one could learn a lesson from him everyday. The producer also went on to say that through this film Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, she had learnt from her father that once one begins a task, "one will have to dedicate one's life to it. One must work hard and honestly." Sushmita said, "Dad is very loving and full of fun with all of us at home. However, once he steps on the set, his complete focus is on the character. Even today, he prepares like a first-timer." About Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu The film, which was initially referred to as Mega157, had triggered huge expectations even before its release, as after Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and Godfather, Nayanthara was sharing screen space with Chiranjeevi for the third time in this film. Also, Venkatesh and Chiranjeevi, two of Telugu cinema's top stars, shared screenspace for the first time in this film. The film boasted top-tier technical talent. It had Bheems Ceciroleo scoring music and Sameer Reddy as its cinematographer. Editing for the film was by Tammiraju and A S Prakash was its art director.
10 March,2026 02:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIf sources in the industry are to be believed, Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan is to play a police officer in Superstar Rajinikanth's eagerly awaited action entertainer Jailer 2. IANS had reported earlier that sources in the unit said only Shah Rukh Khan's portions remained to be shot and that the Bollywood star would begin shooting for his portions in the film in March this year. They had also said that once Shah Rukh's portions, which will be shot over a period of seven to eight days, were shot, the film would be wrapped. Sources had also informed that Shah Rukh Khan's role in the film would be like an extended cameo. Now, sources claim that the actor will be seen playing the role of a cop in the film. About Jailer 2 Director Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer 2 has triggered huge anticipation among fans and film buffs for several reasons. One of the prime reasons is that Jailer 2 promises loads of action and entertainment just like the first part, which went on to emerge as a blockbuster, raking in a whopping 650 crores worldwide. Jailer 1, which opened to positive reviews, took a strong opening. In fact, the film's overseas distributor, Ayngaran International, confirmed that the film had made a whopping 33 crores on its very first day, the highest in Superstar Rajinikanth’s career! Sources close to the unit say that Jailer 2 is shaping up well on the lines of Jailer 1. The shooting of the second part of Jailer began in Chennai first. Sun Pictures, the production house producing the action entertainer, had announced that shooting for the film had commenced on March 10 last year. Interest in the film peaked when Sun Pictures released an exceptionally interesting teaser that was both funny and thrilling. Jailer 2 cast and crew Ramya Krishnan plays the character of Vijaya Pandian a.k.a Viji, the wife of Rajinikanth’s character Muthuvel Pandian, in the film. Sources say that actress Mirnaa, who plays Swetha Pandian, Rajinikanth’s daughter-in –law in the film, too will have a pivotal role in the sequel. The film features a star-studded line-up as Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Tamil actor Vijay Sethupathi have also shot for Jailer 2. Bollywood actress Vidya Balan has also joined the cast, making her Tamil debut. Anirudh, whose music played a vital role in making the first part emerge as a blockbuster, is scoring the music for the second part as well.
10 March,2026 11:37 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRam Charan and director Sukumar’s much-anticipated collaboration is tentatively titled RC17. While Ram Charan is currently gearing up for his upcoming release Peddi, rumours suggested that the script for his film with Sukumar was not yet finalised. The speculation reportedly surfaced after chatter from members of the RC17 team. However, the makers have now clarified that there is no delay in the film. According to a report by 123Telugu, Sukumar’s associate director Hussain Sha Kiran clarified that he had mistakenly mentioned two stories instead of two versions, which led to the confusion. Sukumar reportedly asks his writers to develop multiple versions of a script and then selects the best one. The story for his film with Ram Charan has already been locked. The RC17 confusion Earlier, Hussain Sha Kiran, director of Mrithyunjay and co-writer of RC17, had said that the team was considering two different story ideas and had not made a final call. He had stated, “I am penning one story for the film. However, another story is also being readied by the team. We still don’t know which one we will ultimately go ahead with.” The film has generated excitement as it marks Ram Charan and Sukumar’s reunion after the blockbuster Rangasthalam. Ram Charan busy with Peddi Meanwhile, Ram Charan is currently busy with his upcoming film Peddi. The movie is a rural sports drama centred around a cricket tournament. Directed by Buchi Babu Sana, the film also stars Janhvi Kapoor and marks her second Telugu outing after Devara: Part 1. Joining Janhvi and Ram Charan, the core cast of Peddi also includes Jagapathi Babu, Divyendu Sharma and Boman Irani, among others. Backed by Venkata Satish Kilaru under the banner of Vriddhi Cinemas and presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings, the film features cinematography by R. Rathnavelu and editing by National Award winner Navin Nooli. The team of Peddi has also urged fans not to believe rumours circulating on social media about the film’s final runtime. Publicist Vamsi Sekhar wrote on X, “Don’t believe any rumours circulating online about the final runtime of Peddi. Only the first half of Peddi has been locked and the RR too is in the completion stage by A. R. Rahman. The second half is currently in the final shooting stage, with editing progressing simultaneously at a brisk pace. Everything is on track for the grand release on April 30, 2026.”
10 March,2026 11:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor-director R Parthiban has now broken his silence on his controversial remarks about Trisha in an almost eight-minute-long video after apologising earlier. It started after he made a controversial comment about actor Trisha at an award show. In the video, he clarified his stance and explained the context behind his remarks. He even responded to Trisha's allegation that he had requested organisers to show her photo on stage. Parthiban's comment At the award show, Parthiban was asked to react to pictures of celebrities. When Trisha's photo came up, he said, "Indha Kundavaiye konjaneram kunthavaikkirathu nallathu (It is better to ask this Kundavai to sit at home for a while)," referring to her character from Ponniyin Selvan. His comment drew a sharp response from her, where she said, "A microphone doesn’t make a comment intelligent or humorous. It just makes stupidity louder (sic)." Parthiban explains what happened Parthiban, in the video, opened his statement by drawing a careful difference between intent and accident. "There is a difference between a mistake and wrongdoing. A mistake is something done unknowingly. A wrongdoing is something done willingly. Similarly, there is a difference between an apology and expressing regret," he said. He further acknowledged that a mistake, adding it was never intentional, saying, "When I was speaking about Thalapathy Vijay and Ajith Kumar, a photo of Trisha appeared on-screen. I was genuinely shocked and did not know how to react at that moment. The claim that I specifically requested her photo to be displayed is 100 per cent wrong. I am not a slave to anyone. I have never been paid to attend an event, and I never will be. I will not join any political party or compromise my integrity for money." Explaining in detail what happened, Parthiban shared that before the event, while waiting backstage for nearly 30 minutes, he watched a video by YouTuber Valaipechu Anthanan, which spoke about Thalapathy Vijay's political rise and suggested that Trisha should not have attended the wedding reception with him. He added that similar views were being widely expressed at the time, including by a journalist. When Trisha's photo unexpectedly appeared on screen, and anchor Priyanka referred to the Ponniyin Selvan character Kundhavai, he reacted at the moment. "I simply said, Kundhavai-yai veetileye kundhavaikavum, prechanai varamal irruka (Let Kundhavai sit at home, so that problems don't arise). I said it with anguish. That is all," he clarified. He added, "I would have spoken about Velu Nachiyar, Diana Charles, or even Mother Teresa — it was Women's Day, after all. The allegation that I had any intention of talking about Trisha is unfair."
10 March,2026 11:01 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe CBI had summoned actor and TVK chief Vijay on March 10 for a fresh round of questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case. However, he has sought 15 days to appear before the agency, while citing political engagements. Vijay seeks 15-days exemption According to sources, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had sought the presence of Karur MLA V Senthil Balaji, along with Vijay, before the investigation team on Monday; however, his staff had refused to accept the notice. The agency then reportedly emailed him the notice asking him to be present for questioning in the case. However, they did not receive any response, the sources said. Vijay was asked to appear before the CBI on March 10, however, the actor sent a formal request seeking another date after 15 days. The agency will now issue fresh summons to Vijay, they stated.The politician also requested the agency to question him at its Chennai office or at any other office in Tamil Nadu. According to a PTI report, sources told them the agency will consider Vijay's request to be questioned in Tamil Nadu and will issue a notice with fresh dates for questioning. The actor was earlier questioned by the agency at its headquarters here on January 12 and 19. During the probe, the CBI has gathered material that needs further questioning and clarification from the actor, the officials said. CBI took over Vijay's Karur stampede case The CBI took over the case from an SIT following a Supreme Court order and has been gathering evidence related to the September 27, 2025, stampede that occurred during Vijay's rally in Tamil Nadu's Karur, leaving 41 dead and over 60 injured. In October last year, the apex court asked the CBI director to appoint a senior officer to take over the investigation and also constituted a supervisory committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Ajay Rastogi to monitor the agency's investigation. A bench comprising Justices J K Maheshwari and N V Anjaria had said the stampede has left an imprint in the minds of citizens throughout the country. It has wide ramifications with respect to the lives of citizens, and enforcing the fundamental rights of the families who lost their kin is of utmost importance, the court said. "The faith and trust of the general public in the process of investigation must be restored in the criminal justice system, and one way to instil such trust is by ensuring that the investigation in the present case is completely impartial, independent and unbiased," the bench said. (With inputs from PTI)
10 March,2026 10:13 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
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