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This Tamil-language courtroom drama and love story is a detailed retelling of a true incident which took place in 1995. Unfairly accused of stealing jewelry and therefore jailed but later reported missing, Rajakannu was a bushman from the Irular tribe in the Tamil Nadu state. A devoted lawyer who specialized in helping local tribal communities took an interest in his case, thereby helping his desperate wife to find out what had really happened to her husband. In early 2022 at the Noida International Film Festival this production from 2D Entertainment won the Best Film award, the Best Actor (Suriya) and the Best Actress (Lijomol Jose).

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The movie kicks off slow as we get to learn about the life of Rajakannu (Manikandan) and his wife Sengeni (Lijomol Jose). Always looked down upon and abused by their more well-to-do upper caste everywhere they go, this dirt poor Irular couple...

KollywoodThe Tamil-Telugu bilingual film has actors Aparna Balamurali, Ritu Varma and Shivatmika in the lead.Tnm StaffTwitter/ Dulquer SalmaanThe title of actor Ashok Selvan’s upcoming film was unveiled on Monday, February 7, by actor Dulquer Salmaan. The Tamil-Telugu bilingual film stars actors Aparna Balamurali, Ritu Varma and Shivatmika in pivotal roles. The film has been titled Nitham Oru Vaanam in Tamil and Aakasham in Telugu. Sharing the announcement, Dulquer Salmaan wrote: “A truly special film. With close friends starring & making it. Nitham Oru Vaanam / Aakasham will be an experience beyond this poster. #NithamOruVaanam #Aakasham. Wishing @Rakarthik_dir @AshokSelvan @GopiSundarOffl @riturv @Aparnabala2 @ShivathmikaR the very best!” The movie will be directed by filmmaker Ra Karthick. It will have music by Gopi Sundar and editing by Antony. George C Williams has been roped in as the Director of Photography (Dop). The tagline of the movie reads: “Where you think it ends, Life begins.

Well-known Tamil director Manikandan’s eagerly-awaited film ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’, featuring actor Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, will hit screens on February 11 this year. Actor Vijay Sethupathi, popularly known as ‘Makkal Selvan’, and who plays the lead in ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’, has co-produced the film. His production house, Vijay Sethupathi Productions, through its twitter handle on Sunday […]...

Actor and screenwriter Manikandan, whose outstanding performance in the courtroom drama ‘Jai Bhim’ came in for a lot of critical appreciation, has now made his debut as a director with ‘Narai Ezhuthum Suyasaritham’. The film, which is produced by Shashank Vennelakanti on behalf of G&k Vahinee Productions, has been released on Sony Liv. ‘Narai Ezhuthum […]...

Actor Manikandan, who shot to fame for his role of Rajakannu in the critically acclaimed courtroom drama ‘Jai Bhim’, has penned the dialogues of an upcoming Tamil film titled ‘Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal’. Speaking at the audio launch function of the film, which was held at the Kamala theatre in Chennai, the actor, who has […]...

Ace director Shankar is the latest to join the list of those showering praises on director Gnanavel’s critically acclaimed film ‘Jai Bhim’, featuring actors Suriya, Lijo Mol Jose and Manikandan in the lead. Almost a month after the film’s release, the highly-rated Tamil director wrote on his Facebook page that ‘Jai Bhim’ had proved again […]...

CinemaA slew of Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films are lined up for theatrical release, while a couple will premiere on Ott platforms. Tnm StaffTwitter/ Mythri Movie Makers The production of several films had to be halted, and many movies had to forego a theatrical release in view of the first and second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. However, filmmakers and production houses have now been announcing dates for the theatrical release of much-awaited films – a couple will have a digital premiere on Over-the-top (Ott) platforms. The movies are lined up for release to mark the occasion of Christmas and New Year. We have put together a list of Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam films releasing in cinema theatres and Ott platforms this December. Telugu films Skylab: Starring actors Nithya Menen, Satya Dev and Rahul Ramakrishna in the lead, comedy-drama Skylab is set in 1979 Telangana. In the village of Bandalingampalli,...

KollywoodFrom its inception in 2009 till the latest season in 2019, the show has played a key role in introducing talent like Karthik Subbaraj, Vijay Sethupathi, Alphonse Puthren and others to Kollywood.Saradha Ucommons.wikimedia/ Silverscreen Media Inc/FacebookIn 2012, director Karthik Subbaraj and actor Vijay Sethupathi teamed up for the experimental horror film Pizza, which won critical acclaim and shot them both to fame. But this wasn’t the first time the director-actor duo had collaborated. Both of them had previously worked together in 2009 in the first season of the Tamil reality show, Naalaiya Iyakkunar in which Karthik was a participant. “It was a turning point. I had an interest in filmmaking when I was in college but I never pursued it. Participating in the show gave me the right push I needed to take up filmmaking seriously and if not for it, I might still be a software engineer,” director Karthik Subbaraj,...

MollywoodDirector Anuraj Manohar made his directorial debut with the hit 2019 film ‘Ishq’. Tnm StaffFacebook/ Anuraj Manohar, Nivin Pauly Actor Nivin Pauly took to social media on Sunday, November 28 to announce the title of his next film with director Anuraj Manohar. The upcoming film has been titled Shekhara Varma Rajavu. The script is penned by S Ranjith. Sharing the title poster, Nivin Pauly wrote: “Announcing our next #ShekharaVarmaRajavu Joining hands with director @anurajmanohar and writer @yes_ranjith. Rolling soon”. Anuraj made his directorial debut with the 2019 film Ishq. Written by Ratheesh Ravi, Ishq features Shane Nigam, Ann Sheetal and Shine Tom Chacko in pivotal roles. Nivin was last seen in the Malayalam film Kanakam Kamini Kalaham, which premiered on Over-the-top (Ott) platform Disney Plus Hotstar. The film is helmed by Android Kunjappan Ver 5.25 fame director Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval. Kanakam Kamini Kalaham features Grace Antony opposite Nivin, while the cast also includes Sudheesh,...

KollywoodThe film is helmed by director Manikandan, who is known for directing movies like ‘Kaaka Muttai’ and ‘Aandavan Kattalai’. Tnm StaffScreengrab/YouTube- Vijay Sethupathi Productions The makers of the long-awaited film Kadaisi Vivasayi starring Nallandi, Vijay Sethupathi and Yogi Babu in pivotal roles, released the trailer of the film on Sunday, November 21. The film features Nallandi, an 85-year-old farmer who plays himself in the film, as the protagonist. The trailer hints that he is a naive man who doesn’t know much beyond farming. In one instance shown in the trailer, he fails to distinguish a police man from an electricity board staff. However, he gets pulled into a legal tussle. Vijay Sethupathi is seen as Ramaiah, an eccentric man, who is considered a madman by the people of the village. The two-and-a-half-minute trailer hints at an engaging satire filled with humour and insightful dialogues. Kadaisi Vivasayi is directed by filmmaker Manikandan,...

InterviewRana is a producer who has an eye for offbeat content, and his first ever production 'Bommalata' which was made in 2004, is now premiering at the Bandra Film Festival.Ikyatha YerasalaThe minute Rana Daggubati walks into the room, the crowd can’t help but cheer for the actor. Now a pan-India star, thanks to the epic Baahubali series, the actor is a celebrity with no airs. In Bengaluru for the launch of Happy Head, a wellness and IV clinic, the witty and erudite actor got candid with Tnm in a quick chat. Life post marriage has been blissful for the actor, who got married to entrepreneur Miheeka Bajaj in 2020. “Most often, we’re asked how we have changed post marriage. But I became a changed man and then got married! Married life is great – it’s really peaceful. I like the fact that I have someone to go back to...

Film CommentaryThough the movies by Tj Gnanavel and Mari Selvaraj bear resemblance in the subject matter, the approach and treatment of it significantly vary.AazhiJai Bhim and Karnan can be considered two of the most important socio political Tamil movies to have come out in 2021. They unveil the systemic injustices and cruelties that the communities marginalised by caste are subjected to in Tamil Nadu to a mainstream audience, and have been fortunate enough to win both critical acclaim and commercial success. Jai Bhim has as its plot a real life tragic incident and the legal battle that followed after. Rajakannu (Manikandan), wrongly accused of theft because of the community he belongs to, suffers from police brutality along with his relatives, and eventually dies in custody. The police try to cover up the truth which sets off Sengeni (Lijomol), Rajakannu’s wife, on a quest for truth and justice. Advocate Chandru...

InterviewTo prepare for his role in Jai Bhim, Manikandan stayed with the Irulas for two months to understand their lives and lifestyles better.Subha J RaoIn the recent Jai Bhim, which has triggered a fierce debate on custodial brutality and what the courts can do to offer justice, there’s a scene where Rasakannu (Manikandan), a marginalised person who knows his place in society, tells the rich man he cannot take money for removing the snake from his house, because he was merely helping him. “Plus, your wife is from my village,” he smiles. The wife flings a casteist retort at him. Rasakannu’s smiling face crumples like a balloon pricked. If Jai Bhim hit as hard as it did, the way Manikandan humanised Rasakannu had a big role to play. He showed us what a lovely, loving man Rasakannu was, and why he did not deserve to be treated the way he was.

Well-known Tamil director Manikandan’s eagerly awaited film ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’ which features actor Vijay Sethupathi in the lead, could well be releasing in theatres after all. ‘Kadaisi Vivasayi’ (The Last Farmer), which has been written, shot, directed and produced by Manikandan himself, has been ready for release for quite some time now. In fact, the film, […]...

Critically acclaimed courtroom drama ‘Jai Bhim’, featuring actors Suriya, Lijo Mol Jose and Manikandan in the lead, has overtaken cult classic ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ to claim the number one spot in IMDb’s top 250 movies list. The Tamil film, directed by Gnanavel and produced by Suriya’s 2D Entertainment, got a rating of 9.6, helping it […]...

ReviewWhile the first half is mostly taut, setting up a cat and mouse game, the second half is overly long and sentimental. Sowmya RajendranMysskin gave us Psycho in 2020. A film about a blind man Vs a serial killer. Milind Rau's Netrikann is about a blind woman Vs a serial killer. I'm inclined to make these statements at the outset because it has been my observation that many viewers (and some critics) who may accept leaps of logic in films led by men, don't extend the same generosity to a film led by a woman star. The two are, of course, very different films beyond this connection, in terms of the plot, characterisation and finesse in execution. But to get to all this, we need to buy the premise. So yes, this is a film about a blind woman who hunts down a serial killer, reportedly an adaptation of the Korean film Blind.

KollywoodWith 'Navarasa' all set to release in a few hours on Netflix, we look back at what the anthology format has done from 30 years ago to the current Covid-age.Bharathy SingaravelWith the much-hyped Navarasa all set to premiere on Netflix on August 6, it really seems to be raining Tamil anthologies in the Covid-era. The format isn’t recent but neither was it common. Suhasini Mani Ratnam’s Penn (1991) or Revathy’s Chinna Chinna Aasai (mid-'90s) are remembered fondly by many. Though they’d be better categorised purely on technical grounds as mini-series rather than anthologies (a collection of works by various directors), they no doubt prepared the audience for this form of storytelling. Watching Penn now, I’m grappling with how to judge a work from 30 years ago. A female director told stories centering women. The stories addressed love, romance and streaks of individuality, but also were perhaps predictable.

KollywoodThe first-look poster of the film, which is being directed by Gnanavel, was unveiled on July 23, marking actor Suriya’s birthday.Tnm StaffTwitter/ Ramesh BalaFollowing the release of first-look images from the film, Suriya is gearing up to essay the role of a lawyer in the movie Jai Bhim. According to the latest updates, the movie is inspired by a legal case fought by retired Madras High Court Judge, Justice K Chandru, in 1993 when he was an advocate. Sources say the film’s plot will be based on the legal battle he led and fought for a woman from the Irular tribe. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding this. Justice K Chandru is a renowned judge who has disposed of 96,000 cases and is well-known among the legal circles for some of his landmark judgments. According to a report in The Hindu, these include the ruling about the availability of common burial grounds,...

KollywoodDirected by Milind Rau and produced by Vignesh Shivan, ‘Netrikann’ stars Nayanthara as a visually impaired person who tries to expose a murderer while ‘Ko’ fame Ajmal plays the antagonist.Tnm StaffScreengrab/YouTubeThe trailer of actor Nayanthara’s most-awaited movie Netrikann was released on Thursday, July 29. The movie is directed by Milind Rau and produced by Vignesh Shivan. Heaping praises on Aval fame director Milind Rau, Vignesh Shivan wrote, “If creating thrillers is an Art ! Then our director @Milind_Rau is a Picasso in it ! Nailed the trailer & the film.” Appreciating Nayanthara’s performance, he added, “One of #Nayanthara ‘s best performances till date as a #Blind wit #Netrikann.” Sharing the trailer, streaming platform Disney+ Hotstar announced that the movie will premiere on August 13 and will be available in four languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. In the trailer, we see Nayanthara, who plays a visually impaired person, getting...

MollywoodSunny Wayne plays the lead along with Gouri G Kishan of ‘96’ fame in this fantasy drama directed by Prince Joy.Tnm StaffThe second trailer of Anugraheethan Antony is mostly about the two dogs that the elderly Sidhique raises, fed up with his human son, played by Sunny Wayne. In what is said to be a fantasy drama, Sunny Wayne and young Gouri G Kishan of 96 fame play the lead characters, living in a typical Kerala town. Actor Dulquer Salmaan released the trailer on Tuesday with wishes for his dear “Sunnychan, Gouri, director Prince Joy and the entire team”. This is the first film that Prince Joy is directing. The producer is M Shijith. Naveen T Manilal has written the story and Arun Muraleedharan has composed the music. The cinematographer is Selvakumar S. Appu Bhattathiri edited the film before going off to make his directorial debut with Nizhal. Other actors in Anugraheethan Antony include Indrans,...

ObituaryVenkatesh was popular for his roles in television serials such as ‘Bharathi Kannamma’, ‘Eeramana Rojave’ and ‘Saravanan Meenakshi’. Tnm StaffInstagram/ Vijay TVPopular television actor Venkatesh, who was well-known for his role in Vijay TV’s show Bharathi Kannamma, passed away on March 22 due to cardiac arrest. He was 55 and is survived by his wife, son and daughter. Venkatesh is also popular for his roles in Vijay TV’s series such as Eeramana Rojave and Saravanan Meenakshi. Sharing a photo of the actor, Vijay Television conveyed their condolences to the actor on Instagram. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vijay Television (@vijaytelevision) Venkatesh’s demise has shocked his co-stars and others in the television fraternity. Many of them took to social media to convey their condolences to the actor’s family and paid their tribute to the late actor. Actor Saai Gayathri, Venkatesh’s co- star, conveyed her condolences.

Interview‘Enjoy Enjaami’ has clocked almost 19 million views in just over a week on YouTube.Balakrishna GaneshanTherukural/InstagramChennai-based singer-rapper-lyricist Arivu is thrilled with the immense appreciation coming his way for his latest song — Enjoy Enjaami, a collaboration with singer Dhee and composer Santhosh Narayanan. But he’s also mildly worried, he says, about the responsibility that follows with the popularity. He’s humbly basking in the success of the song which has clocked 19 million views on YouTube in just over a week — a major achievement for independent Tamil music. Enjoy Enjaami is produced by Santosh Narayanan under the label of Ar Rahman’s Maajja, which was formed to promote independent musicians. Besides singing, Arivu has written the lyrics for the song which has turned out to be a major earworm. “My conversations with my grandmother Valliamma formed the basis of the song,” Arivu says, attributing his success to Valliamma, in an interview to Tnm.

InterviewHalitha speaks about the inspiration for a film about the difficult bond between a father and son, her film aesthetics and more. Subha J RaoGrowing up in Chinnadharapuram in Tamil Nadu, Halitha Shameem experienced village life, first-hand. Her life was about being with friends and family, eating yellow savoury called kodal, and waiting for the ice cream vendor to bring a ‘cup’ ice cream; and varieties of ‘kuchi’ (stick) ice — milk, milk with vermicelli and rosemilk, besides frozen juice in a flexible plastic tube, more famously called ‘pepsicola’. She had another life in her Kodaikanal school hostel, and Halitha lived in the present both places, never once slipping into the past. That explains the unaffected nostalgia in her films — Poovarasam Pee Pee, Sillu Karuppatti and now, Aelay. In a conversation that lingers, the director speaks about the inspiration for a film about the difficult bond between a father and son,...

KollywoodThe film will be bankrolled by S Sashikanth of Ynot Studios.Digital NativeDirector Halitha Shameem's latest release, Sillu Karupatti, an anthology film that connects four stories had received positive reviews from critics and the general audience. Basking with the success of Sillu Karupatti, Halitha Shameem has announced her next movie titled Aela. The quirky poster superimposes the title font over the wheels of the cycle of an ice cream vendor. The director took it to social media platforms and announced her next venture. Halitha wrote,"For those who are asking about my next film, here is the poster! #Aelay is in the post production stage and will be ready soon." Touted to be a neo-realistic comedy film, the film will revolve around a father-son relation that will be bankrolled by S Sashikanth of Ynot Studios. Halitha had written Aelay’s script several years back, and was waiting for the right producer.

After the much-acclaimed movie Poovarasam Pee Pee (Whistle made from the leave(s) of the Poovarasu Tree), now Halitha Shameem is all set to make her next movie Aelay. As per reports, the movie begins its shoot today. Shamitha who was an Assistant to Pushkar and Gayathri will now have them as their creative producers.

Aelay is a non-realistic comedy. The main cast includes Samuthirakani and Manigandan in lead roles.

Their social media reads,"#Aelay. The first project of the @StudiosYNot and @wallwatcherfilm collaboration. Directed by Halitha Shameem @halithashameem. Starring Samuthrakani @thondankani and Manikandan. This script made us laugh and brought a lump to our throat! Shoot starts today! @sash041075 @RelianceEnt"

The film is presented by Y not Studios and Reliance Entertainment. Halitha Shameem made her directorial debut with Poovaram Pee Pee, a child adventure story. Later, she made her second movie named Minmini...

CinemaScience fiction is still a fledgling genre in south Indian cinema but these experimental films have explored the concept with differing results. Tnm Staff*To avoid spoilers, skip to second para if you haven't watched Endgame The world is swooning over the latest film from Marvel Studios, Avengers: Endgame. In this final installment, the superheroes come together to defeat Thanos and bring back all those he had killed using the Infinity stones in the previous film. And how do they do that? Time travel, of course. The film has become a major blockbuster across the globe and India is no exception. In fact, online ticket booking portal BookMyShow sold over 1 million tickets in just over a day for the film. But time travel, as they acknowledge in Avengers: Endgame, isn’t a new idea to find its way to cinema. There have been several Hollywood films on the concept and...

KollywoodWhile the film is still in the initial script level and an official announcement is excepted after the script is finalised.Digital NativeAfter receiving a lukewarm response for his recent release, Dev, actor Karthi has now shifted all his focus to his project. Titled Kaidhi the film will be helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj of Maanagaram fame. Malayalam filmmaker Jeethu Joseph's recent release Mr and Mrs Rowdy which stars Kalidas Jayaram and Aparna Balamurali has received mixed response at the box office but the director is gearing up to wield the megaphone for a Tamil film soon. Karthi has been roped in to play the lead role in this movie and the prep work to take it on to the floors in April is on. Rensil D’Silva and Manikandan will be associating with the director for the scripting work and it will be jointly bankrolled by Viacom 18 and...

CinemaA list of Telugu films, from the usual suspects to hidden gems, that are available on Ott platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, JioCinema and Zee5.Sankeertana VarmaTelugu cinema has been an active victim of piracy more than most regional content, with films like Taxiwaala getting leaked weeks before its scheduled release. The industry has found solace in Ott platforms, primarily Amazon Prime Video, where the films are starting to stream as soon as a month after their theatrical release, discouraging viewers on the verge from watching a film illegally. Even though there is only one Telugu film on Netflix – the reason for its reluctance can’t be quality as Spyder made the cut – platforms like Hotstar, JioCinema, Zee5 and Amazon Prime have sizeable Telugu film libraries. Another great thing about Ott platforms is their reach and accessibility. Most regional content is complemented with subtitles and this is slowly...

TollywoodThe Vijay Deverakonda-starrer will reportedly see the Dhadak actor Ishaan Khattar playing the lead role in Hindi. Digital NativeIf reports are to be believed, non-Telugu movie-buffs can also enjoy one of the biggest hits of the 2017 in Tollywood, Geetha Govindam in Hindi. The movie, which had producers scrambling for its remake rights will soon be remade in Hindi. Ishaan Khattar, the Dhadak-actor, may don the role played by Vijay Deverakonda in the Telugu version. The heroine and the director are yet to be decided, according to sources. Geetha Govindam, which hit the screens on August 15 last year, is about the lead pair – Geetha played by Rashmika Mandanna and Govind played by Vijay Deverakonda. The story revolves around Govind with a roving eye for women and his girlfriend Geetha. What happens to the lead pair forms the crux of the story. The movie was bankrolled by Bunny Vas under his...

MollywoodThe movie has reportedly been titled ‘Thuramukham’ and will begin shooting in mid 2019.Digital NativeActor Nivin Pauly will reportedly be teaming up with cinematographer turned director Rajeev Ravi for a new project which will be set in the backdrop of Cochin harbor and revolves around the people living in that coastal region. The film will begin shooting in mid 2019 after Nivin completes his current set of projects. According to the reports that have been doing the rounds, the movie has been titled as Thuramukham. However, an official confirmation about the same is awaited. Nivin Pauly’s last release Kayamkulam Kochunni, directed by Rosshan Andrrews, turned out to be a hit and the star recently wrapped up Mikhael, directed by Haneef Adeni. The film is touted to be a family entertainer and will have elements of a thriller as well. Reports are that Nivin Pauly will be playing a doctor in this film.

TollywoodWhen 'Geetha Govindam' premiered on Zee Telugu, its rating reached 20.8 points, confirm trade sources.Digital NativeGeetha Govindam, on its theatrical release, turned out to be one of the biggest hits of the year. The film premiered on TV recently and went on to get the highest rating ever proving that it is an undisputed hit. When it premiered on Zee Telugu, its rating reached 20.8 points, confirm trade sources. Geetha Govindam premiered in the Us on August 14 and in India a day later; and is doing well at the Box Office as well. It was well received by film buffs, critics and even celebrities. The film is about the lead pair – Geetha played by Rashmika Mandanna and Govind played by Vijay Devarakonda. What happens to the lead pair forms the story of Geetha Govindam. Produced by Bunny Vas under his banner GA2 Pictures, the film is directed by Parasuram, whose last outing was Srirastu Subamastu.

ProfileAishwarya shot to fame with her performance as a slumdweller and mother of two young kids in the critically acclaimed ‘Kaaka Muttai’.CV AravindShe first attracted attention in the inane slapstick comedy show Asathapovadu Yaru on Sun TV but it was her dancing abilities showcased in the reality show Maanada Mayilada, which she won, that brought her film offers. Some of her earlier films, like Avargalum Ivargalum, Rummy and Pannaiyaarum Padminiyum, were washouts at the box office. It was the Manikandan directed Kaaka Muttai that did the star turn for the young actor Aishwarya Rajesh, whose performance as a slumdweller and mother of two young kids was widely appreciated. Not many actors eyeing a foothold in cinema would have jumped at the opportunity to play a young mother at such an early stage in their career. The role, entirely shorn of glamour, had a lot of potential. Shot almost entirely in the slums of Chennai,...

KollywoodSiblings Anbumani and Arivumani approached the Madras Hc and obtained an interim injunction against their removal from the South Indian Cine and TV Stunt Artistes Union.Digital NativeDigital NativeThe stunt choreographer duo, Anbumani and Arivumani, have been removed from the South Indian Cine and TV Stunt Artistes Union. In a statement issued by the Union, it has been alleged that “Anbumani and Arivumani, who have been working as stunt director in the industry, have violated the union rules regarding stunt performances. The two have, under the pretext of rehearsals, been choreographing actors to perform dangerous, rope-based action sequences for films such as Madras and Kabali. This is in violation of the rules of the Union. The union’s governing body has therefore decided to remove them from the basic membership.” The sibling’s who work under the screen name Anbariv, had choreographed stunts for films such as the Rajinikanth starrer Kabali and Karthi’s Madras.

KollywoodThe Malayalam actor was recently roped in to play an important role in the film.Digital NativeThe Rajinikanth starrer Petta, which is currently in progress, has a bevy of talented stars in the cast. Recently it was announced that Malayalam actor Manikandan R Achari of Kammatipaadam fame has been roped in to play an important role in the film. On getting to share screen space with the Superstar for the first time in his career, Manikandan had said that he is excited and happy. He also took to social media to share his experience on working in Petta and particularly with Rajinikanth. In a Facebook post written in Malayalam, Manikandan shared that the Superstar is a very humble person sans any ego. He also praised the star for his punctuality. Additionally, Manikandan wrote that Rajinikanth has the energy of a 20-year-old. It is a blessing to work with an actor like him,...

InterviewKathir tells Tnm that he came on board the project before Pa Ranjith and Santhosh Narayanan became a part of the film.S SubhakeerthanaFacebook/Kathir LKathir, who made his acting debut in Madha Yaanai Koottam (2013) is happy that his hard work finally paid off with Pariyerum Perumal’s humongous reception at the box-office. The actor’s every step is measured. “I did Kirumi (2015), followed by Ennodu Vilaiyadu and Vikram Vedha in 2017. I didn’t sign many films in between. In the process, I figured out what I want to do. I only wish to make each film of mine an eventful one,” he says. Pariyerum Perumal wasn’t written for Kathir. After listening to the story, he went out of his way to bag the film. “Around 2016, my friends and I were discussing something at midnight, and one of them told me Mari Selvaraj had a fantastic script. I didn’t know the story.

InterviewIn this interview with Tnm, Vijay Sethupathi speaks about doing a wide variety of roles and his constant wish to do better cinema.S SubhakeerthanaDigital NativeI wait for Vijay Sethupathi. He strides in after fifteen minutes. You can’t imagine him without that genuine, friendly and warm smile. “I think 2018 is the most productive year in my career. I did a film with Mani Ratnam sir. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could achieve this. When someone of his stature believes in me, what more do I need,” he begins the conversation. The actor, who has a packed 2019 with releases like Seethakaathi, Super Deluxe, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy and the much-awaited Karthik Subbaraj’s Petta (where he’s pitted opposite Rajinikanth) -- says he loves it when he keeps himself busy. “It’s a phase of life where you do back-to-back films. You don’t know why.

TollywoodCollecting Usd 2.1 million in the Us market alone, the film is placed ninth in the all-time list of Telugu hits at the Us box office.Digital NativeDigital NativeGeetha Govindam may have been a medium budget film but its collections are soaring and have already propelled it into the Rs 50 crore club. According to trade reports, the film is a grand success, collecting $2.1 million in the Us market alone, placing 9th in the all-time list of Telugu hits at the Us box office. It is a big success worldwide with the box office collections surpassing the Rs 50 crore mark. On its 12th day at the box office, the film has grossed Rs 52 crore. The film still has some more days at the box office and the final figures will officially be out soon. This also means that its position in the all-time list of Telugu hits at the Us box office may go up.

TollywoodWhile fans, critics and celebs raved about the movie, the actor threw a party for the entire team lauding their hard work and efforts.Digital NativeDigital NativeGeetha Govindam has turned out to be one of the biggest hits in Tollywood recently. The film premiered in the United States on August 14 and had its theatrical release the next day in India. Its box office collections have been very good and soaring since day one. Fans, critics and even celebs are raving about Geetha Govindam but actor Allu Arjun went a step further and threw a party for the entire team lauding their hard work and efforts. This was indeed a big boost for the Geetha Govindam team, say sources. Allu Arjun has never shied away from heaping praises on films with good content – he had earlier thrown parties for the Shatamanam Bhavati and Mahanati teams too. Geetha Govindam is about the...

TollywoodThe film has opened to good reviews and box office collections.Digital NativeGeetha Govindam, which premiered in the Us on August 14 and in India a day later is doing well at the box office. It is well received by film buffs, critics and even celebs. The latest to join the list of celebrities to heap praises on the film is Mahesh Babu. He took to Twitter to post to mark his appreciation. Geetha Govindam is a winner... Thoroughly enjoyed it! @TheDeverakonda and @iamRashmika are absolutely brilliant! @actorsubbaraju and @vennelakishore deserve a special mention :) Congrats to the entire team!!! — Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) August 16, 2018 Geetha Govindam is about the lead pair – Geetha played by Rashmika Mandanna and Govind played by Vijay Devarakonda. The story revolves around Govind with a roving eye for women and his girlfriendGeetha. What happens to the lead pair forms the story of Geetha Govindam. Bankrolled by Bunny...

TollywoodThe film had an excellent start at the box office not just in India but in the Us as well.Digital NativeThe Vijay Devarakonda – Rashmika Mandanna starrer Geetha Govindam, which was released in the Us on August 14 and in India on August 15, has had an excellent start at the box office not just in India but in the Us as well. According to trade reports, the film’s Bo collections stood at Rs 16.1 crores on day one. The breakup from sources in the trade are that the film collected Rs 8.4 crores at the Nizam and Andhra region while in the Us it was Rs 4.2 crores and in the other regions it amounted to Rs. 3.5 crores. Considering the fact that Geetha Govindam is a mid-range budget film, the day one collections at the box office is too good, opine trade analysts. Interestingly, the film’s pre-release business amounted to Rs 15 crores.

TollywoodThe film's teaser released on July 23.Digital NativeArjun Reddy star Vijay Devarakonda is awaiting the release of his next film Taxiwala on the 27th of this month and the teaser of his yet another upcoming film Geetha Govindam has created the right buzz. Touted to be a new age-romantic comedy, the teaser of the rom – com, directed by Parasuram, has the youth looking forward to its release. With the teaser out, the filmmakers are planning its release on August 15. Geetha Govindam is about the lead pair – Geetha played by Rashmika Mandanna and Govind played by Vijay Devarakonda. This will be Rashmika's second Telugu film after her recent debut Chalo. Rashmika Mandanna forayed into the Telugu film industry with the Naga Shaurya starrer Chalo which catapulted her to instant fame. The story revolves around Govind with a roving eye for women and his girlfriend Geetha. What happens to the lead pair...

InterviewYogi Babu is currently the most sought after comedian in Kollywood.Siddarth SrinivasFacebook/Yogi BabuPick almost any entertainer in Tamil cinema, and there’s one man who’s sure to be a part of it. Yes we are talking about Yogi Babu, easily the busiest comedian in Kollywood right now. Tnm caught up with the actor who is currently juggling between two of the biggest films being canned in the industry – Thalapathy62 and Viswasam. While most famous comedians in the industry always have a team behind them to pen ripostes and comic lines, Yogi Babu stands out from the lot for being someone who does not need even a single person helping him with his part. “Leave alone having a team, I have never even spoken dialogues from another outsourced writer. All of my comedy is spontaneous, after working out the situation with the director. For some specific scenarios, the comedy is written beforehand by the director or the writer, where we will not have a say. But otherwise, it’s just me,” he says. Asking him about his exclusive style that is a favourite with all audiences, he says, "I don’t think I have a style of my own, I just behave on screen normally just like I am in real life. Thankfully, the audience finds it funny and it has worked in my favour.” After being treated only as a comedian in his other films, Yogi Babu’s character in Manikandan’s Aandavan Kattalai stood out from the rest, as it held a solid amount of emotions as well. The actor is quick to agree on the same, saying, “It was Vijay Sethupathy who asked me to tone down my wisecracks in the serious portions of the film. I wouldn’t have been able to pull it off without his support. When I went for the theatre visit, the entire hall was silent for those ten minutes. I’ll always look back at it as one of my most important films ever.” Yogi Babu has already worked with almost all the top heroes in Tamil cinema, ranging from Vijay to Suriya to Sivakarthikeyan, Vijay Sethupathy, Gv Prakash and now Ajith. Viswasam is the actor’s 100th film, which he has signed in a very short span of time. Apart from these films, what Yogi has scored with recently, is the hit number ‘Kalyaana Vayasu’ from Kolamaavu Kokila, where the actor is seen romancing Nayanthara. “Her fans are screaming at me already,” he says, with a laugh. “This actually happened after the entire shoot of the film was over, when director Nelson called me and informed me about a montage song shoot with Nayanthara and myself. I was shell shocked, in fact uncomfortable. I’m happy that Nayanthara herself took it so sportively, being such a top heroine, it’s great of her.” Interestingly, Yogi Babu says that he is not here in the industry to quote high remunerations and get rich. “Even if I have ten lakhs in hand, I will be overthinking on what to do with it. A lot of producers have asked me why I take less money, but that’s because I’m here to please everybody and make friends. Maybe that is the reason why I’ve done a 100 films so quickly.” When asked about which hero in the industry he is interested to work with, Yogi Babu replies, “Having worked with almost all heroes, I am looking forward to share the screen with Dhanush soon. Hope things fall into place.” Yogi Babu admits that he is facing a problem with scheduling his call sheets after the strike, since he has signed several films. According to him, there are people within the industry who are blaming him for committing to a lot of projects at the same time. However, he says that will deal with it without any panic, even if he is handed a red card. To keep up with the schedules, he is taking up multiple shoots simultaneously, during the night and day, accommodating as much as possible. When it comes to the type of comedy he has been associated with, the actor has sometimes been body shamed and trolled for his appearance in many films. While a section of the audience have found it hurtful, Yogi Babu thinks otherwise: “It’s normal. Sometimes I myself ask for it. I don’t have the looks of a Vijay or Ajith, people will tear off the screen if I say that. Take the example of Vadivelu sir – in some situations, even kids have made fun of him on screen. The same with Goundamani sir and Senthil sir, who are my favourites. I think body language is an important aspect of comedy, I’m happy to use it this way.” However, Yogi Babu does draw the line at times. “It is okay to get insulted on screen. What I will not do, is double entendre. It won’t be nice to watch my film with my parents, where I’ve indulged in smutty humor. So I refrain from that. It has happened previously in a couple of occasions, but that’s something to be avoided in the future,” says the actor. Yogi Babu’s next release will be the Gv Prakash starrer Sema, which hits the screens on May 25. The actor has quite a bit of screentime in the film, with his character travelling along with the hero. “I’ve also signed another upcoming biggie, the announcement will come very soon,” he signs off. Also read: '2.O' trailer to be released at Ipl final?...