Basil Joseph is one of the most successful director and actor from the Malayalam film industry. The past year saw his growth and versatility as an actor with back to back hits at the box office followed by critical acclaim. While the filmmaker has been roped in by Bollywood to direct the ambitious Shaktimaan film starring Ranveer Singh, the big question that looms is whether he will be directing the big Ms of Mollywood. Basil Joseph on his films with Mohanlal and Mammotty The big Ms of Mollywood- Mammotty and Mohanlal are undoubtedly the best in the business and continue to experiment with the rules and embrace the vision of newcomers. Therefore the thought of Mammootty and Mohanlal in a film directed by Basil Joseph will be a treat for cinema lovers. Recently, in an interview, while promoting his recently released film 'Pravinkoodu Shappu', Joseph said that he plans to team up with Mammootty and Mohanlal for his upcoming projects. While he has ideas on the script, he is unsure of the timeline of the films. "I also wish the movies would happen soon. It’s not under my control, that’s the reason why the projects are not happening soon,” he said talking to Sillymonks Mollywood. The filmmaker said that there are a couple of projects in the pipeline and are in the scripting stage. He expressed confidence that the projects with Mohanlal and Mammootty would come to fruition at the right time. Meanwhile, Basil has started the years with the film 'Pravinkoodu Shappu' which has been receiving rave reviews. Mammootty and Mohanlal's work front Mammootty will soon be seen in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s first Malayalam film, ‘Dominic and The Ladies Purse’. The trailer shows Mammootty playing a boastful detective called Dominic, who runs a detective agency called the Dominic Detective Agency. Dominic gives the impression of a man who is interested in singing his own praises. He often brags about his skills to his greenhorn assistant (played by Gokul Suresh), who admires all his moves. The plot thickens when an elderly relative of Dominic finds an unclaimed ladies purse at a hospital and asks him to find its owner for her. What starts off as a simple case then turns murky. The trailer gives away the fact that the film will be both thrilling and at the same time, highly entertaining with the boastful detective being responsible for bringing in the laughs. The film, which is scheduled to release on January 23, has triggered huge interest as this is Gautham Vasudev Menon’s first film in Malayalam as a director. Mohanlal, on the other hand, is gearing up for the release of his film Thudarum co-starring Shobana. The two will be reuniting after a long time. The film will hit the theatres on January 31.
20 January,2025 05:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMonths after the date of Rishab Shetty's much-awaited film titled 'Kantara: Chapter 1' was announced, the crew has been accused of forest damage by locals at Heruru village in Karnataka. According to reports, the shoot has allegedly led to an outrage which escalated to an altercation, and one local youth has been hospitalised. Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 in trouble According to a report by India Today, the crew of 'Kantara: Chapter 1' is operating in forest areas and using explosives for its shoot. Since the location is home to several wildlife species, locals confronted the film’s team which led to a heated argument. The crew allegedly attacked Harish, a youngster from the area, during the altercation. He was admitted to Crawford Hospital in Sakleshpur to treat his injuries. The locals are demanding the crew to shift their location. A case has been registered at the Yesalur Police Station. If the concerns are not addressed, the residents will file a petition in the High Court. Former Zilla Panchayat member Sanna Swamy warned the film’s crew stating, “Farmers are already struggling with wild elephant attacks. Despite the Supreme Court’s directive to protect forests, officials have been negligent. Immediate action must be taken to prevent further damage.” About Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara’ ‘Kantara: Chapter 1’, which is a prequel to the National Award-winning Kannada film ‘Kantara: A Legend’, is set to arrive in cinemas on October 2, 2025. The makers have spared no effort in creating a visual extravaganza as they have recreated the historic Kadamba Empire at Kundapur, immersing viewers in an era of valour, culture, and mystique. This intricate set, complete with detailed architecture and lifelike surroundings, is expected to transport audiences to a bygone time. ‘Kantara’, which was written and directed by Rishab Shetty, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur, under Hombale Films, turned out to be a major commercial success and emerged as the second highest-grossing Kannada film of all time after ‘K.G.F: Chapter 2’. Rishab also won the prestigious National Award for Best Actor for 'Kantara'. For the upcoming film, Rishab has undergone rigorous training in Kalaripayattu, which is one of the oldest martial art forms originating from Kerala.
20 January,2025 01:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIt’s official! Director Magizh Thirumeni’s much-awaited action entertainer ‘Vidaa Muyarchi’, featuring actor Ajith Kumar in the lead, will release on February 6 this year, its makers announced on Thursday. The announcement came by way of a new trailer that the production house Lyca released on Thursday. The new trailer shows Ajith playing the character of a husband looking to mend a broken relationship with his wife Kayal (played by Trisha). At one point, Ajith’s character is seen kind of feeling lost. He says, “I don’t know about this generation Kayal. But when we were kids, if our watches broke, we would fix them. If our TVs malfunctioned, we would repair them. We wouldn’t throw them away.” The trailer also gives away the fact that Regina Cassandra plays Arjun’s wife in the film, while Arjun plays a character called Rakshith. The trailer, in general, shows Ajith going in search of something or someone and in the process taking on goons and conniving cops in foreign lands. All in all, the film promises to have some explosive action sequences and a full-fledged entertainer. The news of the film releasing on February 6 is bound to delight fans of actor Ajith Kumar as the release of the film, which was originally scheduled to hit screens for Pongal this year, was unexpectedly pushed. Now, with Lyca Productions announcing that it will be releasing the film on February 6, the smiles are back. Meanwhile, the popular OTT platform Netflix has announced that it has brought the streaming rights of the Ajith Kumar-starrer ‘Vidaa Muyarchi’ after its theatrical release. ‘Vidaa Muyarchi’ has had huge expectations riding on it for a number of reasons. Apart from the fact that it features Ajith Kumar in the lead, the film is being keenly watched as it is being directed by one of Tamil cinema’s finest directors, Magizh Thirumeni, known for making stylish action entertainers. ‘Vidaa Muyarchi’ has a tag line, which when translated in English reads, “When everything and everyone forsakes you, believe in yourself.” Trisha plays the female lead in this explosive action entertainer that will also feature Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, Aarav, Nikhil Nair, Dasarathi and Ganesh among others. Music for the film is by Anirudh Ravichander while cinematography is by Om Prakash and editing is by N B Srikanth. 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
17 January,2025 10:43 AM IST | Chennai | IANSAfter a successful theatrical run, Aashiq Abu's directorial 'Rifle Club' has hit the streaming platform Netflix. The thriller features an ensemble cast and marks the debut of Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and rapper Hanumankind of Big Dawgs fame. The film is currently streaming on Netflix in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi languages. Despite facing tough competition from Unni Mukundan's 'Marco', Mohanlal's 'Barroz' and Suraj Venjaramoodu's 'Extra Decent', the film had a good run at the theatres. Released on December 19, the film collected Rs 15.65 crore nett and Rs 17.75 cr gross during its run in India. Rifle Club has been penned by Syam Pushkaran, Dileesh Karunakaran, and Suhas. Apart from Anurag Kashyap and Hanumankind the film also stars Vijayaraghavan, Darshana Rajendran, Dileesh Pothan, Vani Viswanath, Suresh Krishna, Vineeth Kumar, and Surabhi Lakshmi. The film is a tribute to Western movies with an Indian twist and was well-received by the audience. If you are wondering if this is the right pick for your weekend watch, read these public reactions before you make a choice. What is Rifle Club about? The film revolves around a fight between two groups- an arms dealer's gang and members of a shooting club in Wayanad. When two youngsters land in trouble with the son of an arms dealer, they flee and seek shelter in a rifle club. When the gang reaches the youngsters hiding spot, the club decides to protect the youngsters with their skills. Audience reaction on Rifle Club A user wrote on X, "#RifleClub (Netflix) solidly written and stylishly shot, 'Rifle Club' is an entertaining action thriller that keeps giving constant genre highs. The last 40 minutes was absolute cinema. Had a blast. IMO one of the best action films (if not the best) that has come out from India." Highly recommending the film, another user wrote, "If you are looking for an old-school pulpy movie, look no further than Rifle Club. Fantastic action set-pieces, brilliant references & poking fun at the mainstream cinema which seems to think you need excessive BGM & big guns to elevate action sequences. Highly recommended". "For me Rex Vijayan's BGM was the standout one in the whole movie. Waiting for its OST to release and have a bang of fun againAshique Abu's choices as a creator didn't go in vain like his previous one. Casts had the aura to strike the entertainment straight to my eyes," wrote another person Check out other reactions by public What a movie.🔥🎥#rifleclubDirection 🔥Cinematography ♥️#aashiqabu 🫡 pic.twitter.com/TTXZMQhb9P — Fayis k (@kozhikodenfayis) December 24, 2024 #RifleClub is damn fun. Crisp Wacky and witty. Go have fun in packed screens👍🏻🔥 pic.twitter.com/4pGDII3Ot8 — AMARNATH (@Amar__nath_) December 19, 2024 Rifle Club has been watchedVery engaging,blast and fun watch!ipdi interesting film laam namaku kanagu dhan,aracha maave arachitu irukom inga — pravee (@prvnsey) January 16, 2025 Never knew there is this great actor in you @Hanumankind1 👏This track and the scene 🔥✨✨✨#RifleClub on netflix is tood good pic.twitter.com/xt91tNNoYJ — INNOCENT EVIL 😈 (@raju_innocentev) January 16, 2025
16 January,2025 06:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBhojpuri movie actor Sudip Pandey has passed away. According to several reports, he passed away following a heart attack. Following his demise, a friend of the actor reportedly said that he was going through a very difficult time owing to his career. He said that Pandey's film career was not going as well has he had wanted it to. Sudip has worked in many Bhojpuri movies like Bahiniya, Pyar Mein, Balwa, and Dharti. He had recently started shooting for the second part of Paro Patna Wali. Sudip's friend also said that he had made a Hindi film Victor and he lost a lot of money as the film didn't do well. During the Bihar Assembly elections, the actor joined the NCP and he also got a post in the party. Bhojpuri actor Sudip Pandey earlier lived in Andheri, Mumbai but was currently living in Taloja, Navi Mumbai.
15 January,2025 09:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActress Urvashi Rautela made news for her song 'Dabidi Dibidi' in which she featured alongside Nandamuri Balakrishna aka Balayya. The song from the film Daaku Maharaj was criticised for its choreography. After much criticism, the actress has now opened up about the same and defended the song. 'Dabidi Dibidi', which is from the film “Daaku Maharaaj”, faced backlash on social media courtesy the age gap between 30-year-old Urvashi and Nandumuri, 64. The song was also criticised for its inappropriate choreography, which was termed as “vulgar” by many. Urvashi Rautela reacts to Dabidi Dibidi criticism “Success inevitably invites scrutiny, and I understand that discussions and varied opinions are part of the journey. Regarding the dance with Nandamuri garu, I respect the diversity of perspectives that come with any performance. Working with a legend like him was an absolute honor, and the experience was one of collaboration, mutual respect, and passion for the craft,” Urvashi Rautela told IANS. “The dance with Nandamuri sir was not just a performance for me; it was a celebration of art, hard work, and respect for the craft. Working with him was a dream come true, and every step, every gesture was about creating something beautiful together.” She said that she values every piece of feedback. “But the most important thing for me is the love I receive from my fans and the genuine connection we share. Art is a reflection of our emotions, and no matter the criticism, my purpose will always be to touch hearts, inspire, and stay true to who I am, always striving for the best in everything I do. Urvashi on Daaku Maharaaj entering 100 cr club Talking about reaching the Rs 100 crore club at such a fast pace, she said: “I feel blessed to create History as the First Outsider Actress of 2025 to Deliver a Rs 100 Crore Blockbuster and be in the Rs 100 cr club at such a fast pace. “I am truly humbled and overwhelmed by the response to this film. Delivering a Rs. 100 crore blockbuster at such a fast pace is a dream come true, and I owe this success to my incredible fans, the visionary team behind the film, and the love and faith of the audience.” She said that as an outsider in the industry, this milestone means so much more; it's a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and believing in oneself.” “This achievement isn’t just mine it’s for everyone who dares to dream big and break barriers. Here’s to more meaningful cinema, unforgettable stories, and making history together! It’s gratifying when a film performs well and resonates with audiences that’s always a bonus.” (with inputs from IANS)
15 January,2025 08:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentBobby Deol has entered the Telugu film industry with a bang, delivering a standout performance in his debut film Daaku Maharaaj. Known for his diverse roles and recent success in Animal, Bobby has once again proven his mettle by embracing a massy yet stylish character in this action-packed drama. Directed by Bobby Kolli, the film has not only received critical acclaim but also struck a chord with audiences, showcasing Bobby’s ability to excel in yet another cinematic space. Bobby Deol on his Telugu debut Speaking about the film, Bobby shared, "Well, this is an exciting time in my life. It's the beginning of the year and our first Telugu film releases and it's doing so well. I think Bobby Kolli, the director, has done a great job in bringing out a very massy subject for the audiences and giving it so much of style and attitude, and working with him has been amazing. He is a good soul. And talking about Bala Sir—he is the God of the Masses. He says a line, and people go crazy. Bobby has brought a different side of him, and Bala Sir is such an amazing personality. I really feel blessed." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bobby Deol (@iambobbydeol) With Daaku Maharaaj making waves, Bobby Deol is all set to continue his winning streak with an exciting lineup of projects. He is reportedly part of the highly anticipated Alpha and will soon be collaborating with Tamil superstar Vijay in Thalapathy 69. Additionally, Bobby is set to work with renowned filmmaker Anurag Kashyap on an untitled project, promising fans more extraordinary performances in the near future. Daaku Maharaaj doing well at the box office The film stars Nandamuri Balakrishna, Bobby Deol, Urvashi Rautela, Pragya Jaiswal, Shraddha Srinath, and Chandhini Chowdary among others. Daaku Maharaaj has also been written by Bobby Kolli. It opened to mixed reviews. As per Sacnilk.com, the film has already crossed the Rs 50 crore mark at the domestic box office within three days of its release. The film released in theatres on January 12.
15 January,2025 07:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentDirector S Shankar, who is known for films like ‘Kadhalan’, ‘Nayak: The Real Hero’, ‘Anniyan’, ‘Sivaji: The Boss’, ‘Enthiran’ and others, revealed that he was not satisfied with the output of his latest release ‘Game Changer’ starring Ram Charan and Kiara Advani. In an interview, he shared that the film was originally more than 5 hours and many good scenes had to be trimmed to give it structure. Game Changer was originally more than 5 hours In an interview with Behindwoods TV, Shankar said, “I am not completely satisfied with the output of Game Changer. I should have done better. Many good scenes have been trimmed due to time constraints. Total duration came down to more than five Hours. We have cut down a few things to acquire a sculpture.” Watch the video below. "I am not completely satisfied with the output of #GameChanger, I should have done better. Many good scenes have been trimmed due to time constraints. Total duration came more than 5 Hours...we have cut down a few things to acquire a sculpture"- Shankar pic.twitter.com/AUagxeTr5r — AmuthaBharathi (@CinemaWithAB) January 14, 2025 Ram Charan decided to be a part of Game Changer before RRR release Talking about Ram Charan signing the film, the director earlier told IANS, “Ram Charan's decision to do this film was made even before the release of ‘RRR’. Producer Dil Raju felt that it would be good if Ram Charan was in this. It seemed appropriate to me too. Some of my stories are universal themes that can be applied to any hero, so they would be perfect for a big hero. There was a good journey with him in this film”. Speaking about Ram Charan's acting prowess, Shankar stated, "When you look at him, it seems like he is controlling the power inside. It also seems like he will explode when required. He is an artist who can give in-depth performances. He has a good screen presence. No matter what kind of scene it is, he handles it beautifully”. About Game Changer Ram Charan reportedly essays the role of an IAS officer in the film who goes all out to cleanse the corrupt political system, something which is in line with the penchant for the vigilante theme of S. Shankar in most of his movies. The film also stars Kiara Advani, SJ Suryah, Samuthirakani, Anjali, Naveen Chandra, Sunil, and Srikanth. The film is produced by Dil Raju and Sirish under the banners of Sri Venkateswara Creations and Zee Studios. It features Thaman's riveting music and S. Thirunavukkarasu's cinematography. It was released on January 10.
15 January,2025 01:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Rashmika Mandanna extended heartwarming greetings to her fans on the occasion of Pongal and Sankrathi. On Tuesday, the 'Pushpa' actor shared a happy selfie on Instagram Story and wrote, "Happiest Sankrathi/ Pongal my loves. I hope this year brings you all the love, happiness and good health." Rashmika recently sustained a leg injury at her gym and shared her health update on Instagram. She also apologised to the directors of her upcoming films Sikandar, Thama and Kubera for the delay. The actor assured that she would be back soon. "Well... happy New Year to me I guess! Injured myself in my sacred gym shrine Now I'm in "hop mode" for the next few weeks or months or god only knows, so seems like I'll be hopping my way back to sets for Thama, Sikandar, and Kubera! To my directors sorry for the delay...I'll be back soon enough just making sure my legs are fit for action (or at least fit for hopping)" She added, "In the meantime if you need me...I'll be the one in the corner doing a highly advanced bunny hop workout. HOP HOP HOP..." Rashmika also shared pictures of her fractured leg. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rashmika Mandanna (@rashmika_mandanna) As soon as she opened up about her injury, fans chimed in the comment section and wished Rashmika a speedy recovery. "Get well Soon Rashmika," a social media user commented. "Take care," another one wrote. Meanwhile, on the professional front, Rashmika is basking in the success of her film 'Pushpa 2', which also stars Allu Arjun in the lead role. On the massive success of Pushpa 2: The Rule, Allu Arjun expressed his heartfelt gratitude to fans at the "Thank You India" press meet. He said, "I have to say something about the box office number. The number you see is a reflection of the people's love. The numbers are temporary, but the love that is etched in your hearts will remain forever. Thank you for that love." Directed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers and Muttamsetty Media, the film stars Allu Arjun, Rashmika Mandanna, and Fahadh Faasil, reprising their roles as Pushpa Raj, Srivalli, and Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat. 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
15 January,2025 08:14 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIBuilding on the success of Devara Part 1, Guntur Kaaram, Lucky Baskhar, Salaar, and many more Telugu titles that were loved in 2024, Netflix unveiled some of its upcoming Telugu films, which will be available for streaming following their theatrical release in 2025. With captivating storylines and performances by some of the finest actors in the Telugu industry, these films promise to bring the richness of Telugu cinema to audiences worldwide. Netflix 2025 Telugu slate Among the many top movies that will stream on Netflix after their cinematic debut are Emraan Hashmi, Pawan Kalyan, and Priyanka Mohanan's OG; Ravi Teja in the actor's role in Mass Jathara; and NBK, who will make viewers go crazy as he returns with Hit 3: The Third Case. The movie will be available in four different languages. Vijay Deverakonda also has a yet-to-be-titled film. Naga Chaitanya, who recently got married to Sobhita Dhulipala in an intimate ceremony, will join hands with Sai Pallavi for Thandel. What to expect from the films After their cinematic debut, these titles will offer an immersive experience for viewers as Netflix continues to celebrate the diversity and excellence of regional content. Members will get to watch Pawan Kalyan’s powerful acting, bask in the style of Nandamuri Balakrishna aka NBK, give their hearts to Nani, revel in Vijay Deverakonda’s charisma, enjoy Naga Chaitanya’s charm, and mimic the mass maharaja, Ravi Teja, as they watch each of these stars at home, closer than ever. Adding to the experience will be Sai Pallavi’s brilliance, Priyanka Mohan’s elegance, and Meenakshi Chaudhary’s quirkiness, making the experience unforgettable. Monika Shergill, Vice President, Content, Netflix India, shares, “2024 was an incredible year for Netflix India, as our Telugu films won hearts like never before. Blockbusters like Devara, Guntur Kaaram, Hi Nanna, Lucky Baskhar, Salaar, and Saripodhaa Sanivaaram became worldwide favorites, topping watchlists, trending on social media, and earning love from fans and critics alike. As we step into 2025, the excitement continues to grow! With a slate featuring some of the industry’s biggest names and captivating stories, there’s so much to look forward to. From the highly anticipated OG and the gripping Hit 3: The Third Case to the action-packed VD 12, this year promises unforgettable tales, powerful emotions, and standout performances.”
14 January,2025 04:44 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe makers of The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas, have unveiled a festive new poster just in time to wish audiences a joyous Sankranti and Pongal. The vibrant poster, showcasing Prabhas in an uber-cool yet Vintage festive avatar, radiates a delightful, celebratory vibe, offering a sneak peek into the film’s unique horror-comedy world. His striking look, paired with a charming, vintage style, has already piqued curiosity, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the movie’s release. Though the fresh release date is yet to be revealed, the makers assure it will be announced very soon. The last Sankranthi, where it all began. This Sankranthi, promising you all the BEST VERSION OF DARLING in 2025! 🤗🤗Happy Sankranthi ❤️❤️#TheRajaSaab #Prabhas@peoplemediafcy pic.twitter.com/EmpSJ69D34 — Director Maruthi (@DirectorMaruthi) January 14, 2025 Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival that marks the Sun's transition from Sagittarius to Capricorn, heralding the beginning of Uttarayan. On this occasion, bathing in holy rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna during Makar Sankranti is believed to cleanse sins and bestow spiritual merit. The day is also dedicated to acts of charity and devotion. Traditional dishes such as sesame-jaggery laddus, khichdi, and other festive treats grace the occasion. Kite flying, symbolising vibrant energy, and cheer is a cherished tradition on this day. The festival is known by various names in different parts of the country such as Pongal, Bihu, and Maghi. About Prabhas’ The Raja Saab This film, directed by Maruthi, is poised to deliver an exciting blend of eerie thrills and laughter. Prabhas steps into the role of a man drawn back to his ancestral property, only to discover a vengeful spirit lurking in the shadows. After the monumental success of Kalki: 2898 AD, Prabhas takes a bold step away from his larger-than-life, intense roles, embracing a mischievous, spectral persona that will surely stun audiences. His vintage avatar, reminiscent of the Prabhas fans adored in his earlier days, adds an extra layer of charm and excitement. The Raja Saab is produced by Viswa Prasad under the People Media Factory banner. With music by Thaman S, the film will be released across five languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam. Prabhas' upcoming projects Besides The Raja Saab, he will next be seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga's 'Spirit'. Buzz is that the makers plan to rope in South Korean actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, who has worked in films 'Train to Busan', 'Derailed', 'The Outlaws', 'The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos' and MCU’s 'Eternals', to be the villain. Sharing the news, Prabhas earlier said, "This is my 25th film and there is no better way to celebrate it. ‘Spirit’ has a great feel in the story and it'll be a special film for my fans too. Working with Bhushan Kumar has always been easy and comforting and he is one of the best producers we have, who I share a great rapport with. Sandeep is a dream director for all and now with ‘Spirit’, I have the chance to associate with such a powerhouse of talent. It's an amazing storyline and I can't wait to start working on ‘Spirit’ as my fans are eagerly waiting to see me in this avatar for a very long time."
14 January,2025 12:26 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
