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Pushpa 2: It took Allu Arjun 10 hours to process fan's death at stampede

Despite Allu Arjun-starrer 'Pushpa 2' opening to a thunderous response from the audience. However, the entire team is currently deeply saddened due to the tragic death of a woman during the premiere of the film this week. On Saturday, the makers organized a success meet where they paid condolences over the death of the fan in the stampede that ensued at Hyderabad's Sandhya Theatre on December 4. Addressing the media, Allu Arjun said, "The incident that took place in the Sandhya theatre is very unfortunate...I'm shocked. It took me hours to process it and respond to the incident. I couldn't process it psychologically. It took me around 10 hours. We all blanked out when we heard the news. Sukumar sir also got extremely emotional. I will personally meet them later. We will always be there and try to support the family." Director Sukumar also took to the stage and reacted to the tragedy. "I have worked for over 6 years on this film, but I've not been happy for 3 days now because a director is always sensitive. Irrespective of me working for 3 years or 6 years, I cannot create a life. My heart is broken due to what happened. I am very sorry for that...I apologise to the family and assure you, we will always support you," he said. On December 4, the fans of Allu Arjun thronged the theatre in Hyderabad, following which the police resorted to mild lathi charge to control the crowd. A woman was killed and her son was injured in the incident. Prior to the success meet, Allu Arjun on Friday took to social media platform X and shared a video in which he assured that he and the entire film team stand with the family. He also announced an assistance of Rs 25 lakh to help the bereaved family. He said in the video, "We extend our deepest condolences to the family. We understand that no words or actions can ever compensate for the loss you are bearing..... I would like to extend financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh to the family as a goodwill gesture...we will also take care of the medical expenses..." The caption along with the video reads, "Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey." Earlier, the makers of the movie issued an official statement expressing grief over the tragic incident. "We are extremely heartbroken by the tragic incident during last night's screening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young child undergoing medical treatment. We are committed to standing by them and extending all possible support during this difficult time. With deep sorrow," wrote Mythri Movie Makers on X. Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for… pic.twitter.com/g3CSQftucz — Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) December 6, 2024 Meanwhile, 'Pushpa 2' is roaring at the box office. Cinema halls have been witnessing 'housefull' shows ever since the makers released the film on Thursday. As per the team of 'Pushpa 2', the film registered a whopping Rs 294 crore globally on the first day of its release. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

08 December,2024 08:53 AM IST | Hyderabad | ANI
Pushpa 2 Day 2 box office report

Pushpa 2 day 2 box office: Allu Arjun starrer faces major dip of 42.89%

Pushpa 2: The Rule is roaring at the box office. Sukumar's film, starring Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, has been breaking records one after the other since its release on December 5. As per reports, the movie has already made about Rs 421.30 crore worldwide in just two days of its release. The film's Indian box office collection on day 1 is estimated to be about Rs 164.25 crore, while the second day saw a major dip of about 42.89%. Pushpa 2 Day 2 box office As per Sacnilk.com, Allu Arjun’s thriller collected Rs 10.65 crore net during its premieres in India, and on day 1, the film's box office collection stood at about Rs 164.25 crore. Though the collection on day 2 is mind-blowing at Rs 93.8 crore, the 42.89% dip is worrisome. The film's total in India stands at Rs 268.7 crore net, with the gross reaching Rs 321.3 crore. The film's worldwide collection amounts to Rs 421.30 crore gross in two days. The website also stated that the movie saw 53% occupancy in the Telugu belt on Friday, and these numbers are expected to rise over the weekend. Reports about Pushpa's day 1 collection indicate that the film's Indian net and gross stand at Rs 174.9 crore and Rs 209.2 crore, respectively, while the worldwide day 1 collection is Rs 294 crore. With its day 1 numbers, Pushpa 2: The Rule broke RRR’s record and emerged as the highest opening for any Indian film. The film also achieved the biggest opening for a Hindi film and a Telugu film dubbed in Hindi. About Pushpa 2 The film, which continues the saga of Pushpa Raj’s rise amid a world of crime, is expected to dominate the box office, fueled by its strong performances, gripping action sequences, and massive fan base. With the hype surrounding the film reaching new heights, Pushpa 2: The Rule is already being hailed as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. Pushpa 2: The Rule  is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sukumar and features Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil reprising their roles as Pushpa Raj, Srivalli, and Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat, respectively. Allu Arjun won a National Film Award for his performance in the first part, which revolved around power struggles set against the backdrop of red sandalwood smuggling.

07 December,2024 04:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Malayalam movies 2024

Year Ender 2024: Malayalam cinema shines at BO with 5 Rs 100 cr films

The Malayalam film industry had a relatively great year as far as qualitative cinema and box office performance goes. For the longest time now, the Malayalam cinema industry has been hailed for its content-driven films but it never gets the box office success like the ones in Tamil Nadu and Telugu language films have had the privilege. But all that changed this year. The industry which makes films on small budgets saw five Rs 100 cr films in 2024 alone. This is huge as the industry only has a total of eight films in the Rs 100 cr club (Premalu, Pulimurugan, Aavesham, 2018, Aadujeevitham, Lucifer, ARM, Manjummel Boys).  Films in focus 2024 Malaikottai VaalibanPremaluAnweshippin KandethumManjummel BoysVarshangalkku SheshamARMKishkindha KaandamSookshmadarshiniAaveshamBramayugamGuruvayoor AmbalanadayilUllozhukkuAattam  Stand out performances  The year began with terrific performances from the big Ms of the industry- Mohanlal and Mammootty. While Mohanlal played a charming wrestler for his first film with Lijo Jose Pelliessery set in a timeless era, Mammootty unleashed his demonic side in the black-and-white film Bramayugam. Premalu, a rom-com, saw several interesting performances especially from actors Sangeeth Pratap and Shyam Mohan. In March, Prithviraj stunned with his performance in 'Aadujeevitham' with a mesmerising transformation. Fahadh shed his inhibitions and gave one of his best performances with Aavesham while Nivin Pauly stole the act with his cameo in Varshangalkku Shesham. On the other hand, Asif Ali and Vijayarahavan gave a stellar performance in the mystery drama 'Kishkindha Kadam'.  Aattam which largely went unnoticed during its theatrical release found its audience when it won the National Film Award. The performances and narrative of the film won over the audiences.  Parvathy, Urvashi in 'Ullozhukku', Nazriya in 'Sookshmadarshini', Mamitha Baiju in Premalu, Zarin Shihab in Aattam, Aparna Balamurali in 'Kishkindha Kadam' are some of the stand-out performances by the women this year.  Box office results  Malayalam films are made on smaller budgets especially when compared to other language industries of India. Therefore for a film from the region crossing the 100 cr mark at the box office is a major milestone. The Malayalam movie industry so far has eight films in the 100 cr club of which five were released this year. All these films are of different genres. The year got its first 100 cr film in Premalu, rom-com fronted by the the industry’s promising stars Nelson and Mamitha Baiju. The film was backed by Mallu land’s favourite Fafa (Fahadh Faasil) and his actor-wife Nazriya. It was directed by Girish AD who has previously excelled in this genre with films like Thanneer Mathan Dinangal, and Super Sharanya.  Next up, Prithvraij’s ambitious film Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life) crossed 100 cr at the global box office. The ambitious bfilm directed by teh talented Blessy was in the making for 16 years. Yes! That is the dedication the makers put to narrate the real lfe story of a man who become victim of slavery when he visits Middle-east aspiring to earn for his family.  The mood and tone of the next 100 cr was light breezy. Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya’s second production also graced the 100 cr club with Aavesham. The film saw Fahadh winning hearts as the quirky gangster from Bengaluru who gets involved with a group of college students. His 'Eda mone' to his dance in'Illuminati' to his outfits left a mark on audiences.  'Manjummel Boys' is yet another story based on real life. It narrates a tale of brotherhood and friendship. A man who falls into a dangerous pit in the Guna caves is rescued by his friends even as professional firefighters deem the task risky. The final 100 cr film was by Tovino Thomas-starrer ARM (Ajayante Randam Moshanam). The film is a fantasy drama with the narrative going through three different time periods following the story of one family in Northern Kerala. Tovino plays three distinct roles in the film.  Viral elements  Fahadh Faasil’s line ‘Eda Mone’ from the film 'Aavesham' added two more words to the vocabulary knowledge of non-Malayalees this year. The same film had everyone dancing to the tunes of Illuminati. Another song that had people humming is the 'Kanmani Anbodu' which was strategically used in the film 'Manjummel Boys' and proved beneficial for the film promotions. The film was originally composed by Ilaayaraja for Kamal Haasan’s 1986 film Guna. Nivin Pauly's comeback moment in 'Varshangalkku Shesham' was a befitting monologue on nepotism that proved why he is an actor to watch out for despite a streak of non-performing films at the box office.  Content is king  An outside glance may make it seem like Malayalam cinema has had a high success rate this year. However, that is not the case. The industry produces 100 films a year, most have minimal to no promotions on the ground failing to even register its release in the minds of the audience. While the success rate may not be high, the industry continued to produce content driven films with a large number of films getting acceptance and recognition from pan-India audience.

07 December,2024 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | Athulya Nambiar
Rashmika Mandanna with Vijay's family

Rashmika Mandanna watches 'Pushpa 2' with Vijay Deverakonda's family

Rashmika Mandanna plays the beloved Srivalli in the Pushpa franchise directed by Sukumar. She played a crucial role in the film fronted by Allu Arjun. With the film having released on December 5, after a three-year wait since the release of Pushpa: The Rise. People visited the theatre in large numbers to see the film. Rashmika is also making sure that her near and dear ones watch the film. The actress was seen at a theatre with Vijay Deverakonda's family.  Rashmika accompanied her rumoured boyfriend and actor Vijay Deverakonda's parents as they stepped out to watch the recent release. In the picture, Rashmika is seen dressed in an orange t-shirt by Vijay's brand Rowdy. Vijay's younger brother actor Anand Deverakonda can also be seen in the picture dressed in a blue hoodie. Rashmika Mandanna gets emotional ahead of Pushpa 2 release Ahead of the film's release, Rashmika penned a comprehensive post expressing gratitude towards the team. She also posted some never-seen-before behind-the-scenes pictures featuring director Sukumar and superstar Allu Arjun.  Rashmika took to Instagram and wrote, “Pushpa started in 2021, but for me, it started way before that, during the COVID times. I remember the team coming to my house to train me for the Chittoor slang and then walking onto the sets of Pushpa on day one. From the release of Pushpa 1 to the start of Pushpa 2, and now shooting for Pushpa 2 for so long, every day for the last five years has revolved around Pushpa.” She continued, “Sukumar sir – from not knowing how to talk to him to becoming so emotionally connected to him. Allu Arjun sir – from being so scared to even talk to him to searching for him on our crowded set just to ask if the shot was okay. Kuba sir – the man of few words but the one whose smile says that the shoot is amazing. Mythri Movie Makers – my home production. From fighting for dates to the last day still fighting for dates! Fahadh sir – I got to work with you for just two days, but I’ve heard you’ve created absolute magic. I’m on my way to watch it right now.” Rashmika added, “I love Mythri; they are the best! These people mean so much to me, so much! I am so proud of us. I am so proud of how we started and how far we’ve come today. Team Pushpa – I love you. I love how hard we’ve worked, what we’ve created, and how in sync we all are. I love it. Everyone works hard, but success comes because of the people you surround yourself with. Pushpa is the perfect example of that.”           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Rashmika Mandanna (@rashmika_mandanna)

07 December,2024 01:56 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Samantha Ruth Prabhu grooves to 'Feeling Good' as ex-husband re-marries

Samantha Ruth Prabhu has been keeping herself busy with work and other events as her ex-husband Naga Chaitanya tied the knot with actress Sobhita Dhulipala. The 'Citadel' star recently attended an event where she was seen dancing to the song 'I’m Feeling Good' by Michael Bubble. She was accompanied by her fashion designer friend Kresha Bajaj.  Samantha was seen dressed in a stunning black gown with a backless cut. Sharing a clip from the event, Samantha wrote, "The most beautiful evening it was." Samantha and Naga Chaitanya ended their four-year marriage in 2021. Even as Naga Chaitanya re-married, Samantha continued to make headlines. Old pictures of Naga and Samantha from their 2017 wedding also resurfaced on social media in the past few days.  Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares a cryptic post amid SoChay's wedding celebration Amid SoChay's wedding celebrations, Samantha Ruth Prabhu shared a cryptic post on her Instagram story. She reshared a video that was originally shared by the Hollywood icon Viola Davis. Viola captioned the post, "Not fragile like a flower, fragile like a BOMB". The video depicts a wrestling match between a boy and a girl and the boy is rude to the girl and despite not having the initial lead, the girl wins the match. Samantha reshared this video and captioned it #fightlikeagirl. This post comes on the wedding day of Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala. Samantha about her divorce  The two separated and got divorced in 2021. The announcement of separation of the former couple was followed by incessant trolling and blame game against Samantha Ruth Prabhu. A large section of netizens blamed Samantha for the separation. Recently, Samantha addressed the hurtful comments she faced and how she ultimately chose to rise above them.Talking to Galatta India, she said, “When a woman goes through a divorce, there’s a lot of shame and stigma attached to it. I received comments like ‘second-hand’ and ‘wasted life’. You’re pushed into a corner where you’re supposed to feel like you’re a failure. You’re supposed to feel guilt and shame that you were once married and now you’re not and I do believe it can be really, really hard for families and girls who have gone through that."

07 December,2024 09:49 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Allu Arjun

Allu Arjun reacts to tragic death of female fan; offers Rs 25 lakh

Two days after the tragedy where a woman lost her life due to a stampede outside a Hyderabad theatre during the Pushpa 2: The Rule preview screening, which was attended by Allu Arjun, the actor has reacted to the tragic incident. The actor dropped a video in which he was seen extending his condolences. He further mentioned that the entire Pushpa team is disheartened by the incident. He also stated that he will take care of the medical expenses. In the video, he shared that he wished to offer Rs 25 lacs just to help them. The actor also requested his fans to be careful whenever they visit a theatre.  Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for… pic.twitter.com/g3CSQftucz — Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) December 6, 2024 Allu Arjun reacted to the tragic incident The actor further attached the video with a heartfelt caption and wrote, “Deeply heartbroken by the tragic incident at Sandhya Theatre. My heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving family during this unimaginably difficult time. I want to assure them they are not alone in this pain and will meet the family personally. While respecting their need for space to grieve, I stand committed to extend every possible assistance to help them navigate through this challenging journey.” FIR against Allu Arjun It was on Wednesday when a woman died in a stampede outside a theatre where Pushpa 2: The Rule star Allu Arjun went to watch the film. Later, a case was registered against actor Allu Arjun and others in connection with the death of the woman due to asphyxiation. After the event, many called out Arjun for not giving attention to the incident. To defend him, his head of content and digital, Sarath Chandram, has come out in support of Allu Arjun, stating that producer Bunny Vas visited the family on the actor's behalf. What happened after Allu Arjun came to the theatre Police said that no arrangements were made by the theatre management and no prior information was available about the arrival of the actor and other members of the film. After Allu Arjun reached the theatre along with his personal security, people tried to enter the cinema hall with him. "His personal security team started pushing the public, which further aggravated the situation as there was already a huge gathering at the theatre," they stated. About Pushpa 2 The film, which continues the saga of Pushpa Raj’s rise amid a world of crime, is expected to dominate the box office, fueled by its strong performances, gripping action sequences, and massive fan base. With the hype surrounding the film reaching new heights, Pushpa 2: The Rule is already being hailed as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil.

06 December,2024 10:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
In Pic: Malayalam actor Siddique

Malayalam actor Siddique arrested in rape case, later granted bail

Malayalam actor Siddique has made headlines yet again. The actor, who has been caught in legal trouble, has once again created a stir as he was arrested today in connection with the sexual assault case against him. The actor was arrested and presented in court, where he was later granted bail. Reports suggest that he underwent a medical examination. Malayalam actor Siddique was granted bail If reports from PTI are to be believed, Malayalam actor Siddique was arrested earlier today, December 6, in connection with a sexual assault case and was later granted bail. Weeks after the Supreme Court granted protection from arrest to veteran Malayalam actor Siddique in a rape case, he appeared before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Friday, during which he was formally arrested and subsequently released on bail. Today, the actor was arrested and underwent a medical examination at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital. Later, he was granted bail after being produced before a court, as per PTI. Earlier, the apex court had granted him protection from arrest on November 19. About charges against Malayalam actor Siddique  After facing accusations of rape and sexual assault, Siddique resigned from his post as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. An FIR under sections 376 (rape) and 506 (criminal intimidation) was registered against the actor at the Museum Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on August 27. The case was registered under the IPC as the offence allegedly occurred in 2016. The case dates back to August this year when a female actor accused Siddique of sexually assaulting her in 2016. The survivor, a young woman, alleged that Siddique invited her to a hotel and sexually assaulted her. In his plea, Siddique claimed that the complainant had subjected him to a "prolonged campaign of harassment and false accusations" since 2019. Siddique had moved the top court after the Kerala High Court, on September 24, denied him relief on the grounds that, in view of the seriousness of the accusations, his custodial interrogation was necessary for a proper investigation of the crime. HEMA committee reveals the dark side of the Malayalam industry These charges came after the Hema Committee. released its report, which suggested allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors in the Malayalam film industry. Multiple FIRs were registered against several high-profile actors and directors. (Inputs from PTI)

06 December,2024 08:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pushpa 2 has been breaking box office records

Pushpa 2: Makers decide to slash ticket prices in key centers?

The much-awaited film Pushpa 2: The Rule was released on Thursday, December 5, and it created quite a buzz since its release. The movie has been roaring at the box office, and in the midst of all the good things about the film, many are calling out the premium ticket pricing. The movie's domestic gross has already touched about Rs 200 crore, and it has broken the record for day-one collections in the Hindi belt by a good margin. However, it is in the Telugu belt where the film is receiving severe backlash for its high pricing. Ticket prices affected footfall in theatres Generally, the second day of any grand film gets more numbers at the box office, but surprisingly, the numbers for Pushpa 2 by today’s noon are not as good as expected in Telugu states. The complaints are not about the story or the plot but, moreover, the exorbitant prices are playing a spoilsport in the film's business. The price at which the film's tickets were set is much higher than that of films like Kalki 2898 AD and Devara, which is considered a major reason for the lower footfall. Makers slashed ticket prices Now, as per a report in 123 Telugu, the makers have decided to reduce the prices of the tickets for Pushpa 2 in major centres. It is yet to be revealed if the makers are slashing prices in some centres or all regions. The film, directed by Sukumar, stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil in the lead and was released worldwide on December 5. Despite the film releasing on a non-holiday weekday, it has created history at the box office by becoming the highest opener in Indian cinema. The film, originally made in Telugu, was dubbed into multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam. About Pushpa 2 box office Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to share an update on the first day collections of Pushpa 2 in the Hindi language.  "'PUSHPA 2' IS WILDFIRE ... A BOXOFFICE MONSTER... #Pushpa2 is PHENOMENAL on its opening day [Thursday], setting new benchmarks at the #BO… Highest *opening day* ever [#Hindi]. Meanwhile, Allu Arjun-starrer has earned the highest opening for an Indian film at the worldwide box office, beating the record of SS Rajamouli's directorial RRR (223 crore gross). Pushpa 2 has earned Rs 282 crore.

06 December,2024 06:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pushpa 2 was released on December 5

Pushpa 2: Allu Arjun offers aid to family of woman who died in stampede

It was on Wednesday when a woman died in a stampede outside a theatre where Pushpa 2: The Rule star Allu Arjun went to watch the film. Later, a case was registered against actor Allu Arjun and others in connection with the death of the woman due to asphyxiation. After the event, many called out Arjun for not giving attention to the incident. Now, his head of content and digital, Sarath Chandram, has come out in support of Allu Arjun, stating that producer Bunny Vas visited the family on the actor's behalf. Allu Arjun’s team is ‘deeply committed to supporting the family’ In a post, Chandram shared that Bunny not only visited the family of the deceased but also ensured the required help for the child's treatment. In the post, he also stated that not every detail is shared on social media, but the team is committed to supporting the family. He wrote on X, “Bunny Vas Garu visited the hospital, personally spoke to the doctors, and ensured that the necessary financial assistance for the child’s treatment was provided from our side. Not every update is shared on social media. The team is deeply committed to supporting the family in every possible way.” What happened after Allu Arjun came to the theatre Police said that no arrangements were made by the theatre management and no prior information was available about the arrival of the actor and other members of the film. After Allu Arjun reached the theatre along with his personal security, people tried to enter the cinema hall with him. "His personal security team started pushing the public, which further aggravated the situation as there was already a huge gathering at the theatre," they stated. Makers of Pushpa 2 issue official statement "We are extremely heartbroken by the tragic incident during last night's screening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young child undergoing medical treatment. We are committed to standing by them and extending all possible support during this difficult time. With deep sorrow," wrote Mythri Movie Makers on X. We are extremely heartbroken by the tragic incident during last night’s screening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and the young child undergoing medical treatment.We are committed to standing by them and extending all possible support during this difficult time.… — Mythri Movie Makers (@MythriOfficial) December 5, 2024 About Pushpa 2 The film, which continues the saga of Pushpa Raj’s rise amid a world of crime, is expected to dominate the box office, fueled by its strong performances, gripping action sequences, and massive fan base. With the hype surrounding the film reaching new heights, Pushpa 2: The Rule is already being hailed as one of the biggest blockbusters of the year. The film also stars Rashmika Mandanna and Fahadh Faasil.

06 December,2024 05:03 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya with Nagarjuna

Newlyweds Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala do temple visit with Nagarjuna

Newly married actor couple Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala were seen paying a visit to Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. Their visit to the temple marked their first appearance since their wedding on December 4. The couple was accompanied by Telugu megastar and Naga Chaitanya’s father, Nagarjuna. While Naga Chaitanya was dressed in a traditional white pancha, his wife opted for a yellow saree. Nagarjuna wore a kurta and pyjama during the appearance.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Kamlesh Nand (work) (@artistrybuzz_) About Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala wedding Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala’s wedding was a grand affair in Hyderabad. The event saw the who’s who of the Telugu industry attending the celebrations. Naga Chaitanya paid tribute to his grandfather, the legendary Akkineni Nageswara Rao, by donning traditional attire called 'pancha' reminiscent of his grandfather’s timeless style during his wedding ceremony. Sobhita Dhulipala also wore the traditional jewellery of her mother and grandmother for the ‘Raata ceremony’. The Raata ceremony is a significant pre-wedding ritual in many Telugu traditions. It marks an important step before the bride is officially married. During this event, a bamboo stick is planted along with leaves of mango, jamun, and Jammi trees, which are then worshipped with sacred materials like pancha loha, navaratan (nine gems), and navadhaanya (nine grains). A sacred potli (bag) is tied to the pole, and prayers are offered to the pancha bhuta (five elements) and devtas of all eight directions. This ritual is believed to purify and bless the bride before her journey into married life. A source close to the actress shared that the actress wore her mother and grandmother's jewellery pieces which made it even more special for the actress. Nagarjuna dropped first wedding pictures Earlier, while announcing their wedding, Nagarjuna shared pictures and wrote, "Watching Sobhita and Chay begin this beautiful chapter together has been a special and emotional moment for me. Congratulations to my beloved Chay, and welcome to the family, dear Sobhita—you’ve already brought so much happiness into our lives. This celebration holds even deeper meaning as it unfolds under the blessings of ANR Garu’s statue, installed to mark his centenary year. It feels as though his love and guidance are present with us in every step of this journey. I thank the countless blessings showered upon us today with gratitude."

06 December,2024 03:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Allu Arjun in Pushpa 2

Pushpa 2 Box office: Allu Arjun's film becomes highest-opener ever

The 'Pushpa 2' hype is real and the box office numbers support it. The film directed by Sukumar stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil in the lead and was released worldwide on December 5. Despite the film releasing on a non-holiday weekday, it has created history at the box office by becoming the highest-opener of Indian cinema. The film originally made in Telugu language was dubbed into multiple languages including Hindi, Tamil, and Malayalam.  Pushpa 2 Hindi dubbed more than Hindi language films Trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to share an update on the first day collections of Pushpa 2 in the Hindi language.  "'PUSHPA 2' IS WILDFIRE ... A BOXOFFICE MONSTER... #Pushpa2 is PHENOMENAL on its opening day [Thursday], setting new benchmarks at the #BO...Highest *opening day* ever [#Hindi].Highest *non-holiday* and *non-festival* opening day ever [#Hindi].Highest opening day for a dubbed film [#Hindi] ever." "East. West. North. South… It was #PushpaDay across the nation... From metros to non-metros and mass pockets, #PushpaMania has taken #India by storm, and there's no stopping it. The remarkable opening day numbers cement #AlluArjun's brand value and the franchise's popularity in the #NorthIndia markets.#Pushpa2 [Week 1] Thu 72 cr," he wrote.  Pushpa 2 performs well in international markets Trade Analyst AB George posted on X, "SENSATIONAL OPENING for #Pushpa2TheRule in Saudi Arabia ? All-time 4th biggest Indian opening behind Leo, Jawan & Pathaan? Day 1 admits - 17500 (incl premier) ? Gross - $201K ? Phenomenal Opening ?? Super release by @homescreenent ?." SENSATIONAL OPENING for #Pushpa2TheRule in Saudi Arabia 🔥All-time 4th biggest Indian opening behind Leo, Jawan & Pathaan 🔥Day 1 admits - 17500 (incl premier) 🔥 Gross - $201K 🔥Phenomenal Opening 👏🔥Super release by @homescreenent 👏 — AB George (@AbGeorge_) December 6, 2024 Top 5 Indian Films Initial - UK 1. #Leo - £576K2. #Pushpa2TheRule - £484K3. #Tiger3 - £426K4. #Kalki28989AD - £411K5. #TheGreatestOfAllTime - £380K — AB George (@AbGeorge_) December 6, 2024 Meanwhile, Allu Arjun-starrer has earned the highest opening for an Indian film at the worldwide box office, beating the record of SS Rajamouli's directorial RRR (223 crore gross). Pushpa 2 has earned Rs 282 crore.

06 December,2024 01:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
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