Here's a recap of the significant stories in entertainment across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, and sometimes the odd television series as well.
Chiyaan Vikram's much-awaited Cobra is slated to hit the theatres on August 31 in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. "Every problem has a mathematical solution," says Vikram's Cobra, a genius mathematician-cum-criminal in the teaser. He puts his mathematical skills to commit crimes easily. But he is also shown as a teacher who is awarded the "Best teacher award". The trailer also shows the multiple looks he dons in Cobra. The film co-stars Srinidhi Shetty, former cricketer Irfan Pathan, K.S. Ravikumar, and Roshan Mathew
Cobra is directed by R. Ajay Gnanamuthu and produced by SS Lalit Kumar. The film co-stars K.S. Ravikumar, Roshan Mathew, Anandraj, Robo Shankar, Mia George, Mirnalini Ravi, and Meenakshi Govindrajan. While Harish Kanna has handled the camera, Bhuvan Srinivasan is behind the film's editing.
Shine Tom Chacko's next is with director Achu Vijayan. Titled Vichithiram, the makers released the first look poster featuring the lead cast of the film. They all appear shocked and curious in the poster. The story was penned by Nikil Rabindran. Billed as a crime thriller, and it's said to revolve around a football-savvy family. Produced by Joy Movie Productions, the film co-stars Kani Kusruti, Balu Varghese, Lal, Jolly Chirayath, and Ketaki Narayan. While Arjun Balakrishnan has handled the camera, Midhun Mukundan has scored the music.
Helmed by G Mohan, Bakasuran has Selvaraghavan and Nataraja Subramani playing the lead roles. The first look poster featuring Selvaraghavan has a temple festival backdrop. Nataraja is said to play a cop in the film. Bakasuran is reportedly based on true events and has music by Sam CS. The film is bankrolled by GM Film Corporation.
Megastar Chiranjeevi's Godfather is the remake of the 2019 hit film Lucifer starring Mohanlal. The plot revolves around a ruling political party that is in search of its successor. The film's teaser give us glimpses of Chiranjeevi, Nayanthara, and Salman Khan, and Chiranjeevi is hailed as the boss of the bosses. This action entertainer is slated to hit the screens on October 5.
Helmed by Mohan Raja, God Father co-stars Puri Jagannadh and Satya Dev. The story is by Murali Gopy and the dialogues are penned by Lakshmi Bhupala. The film is produced by Ram Charan, RB Choudary, and NV Prasad. Thaman S has scored the music and Nirav Shah has handled the cinematography.
While Kamala Haasan's Indian 2, a sequel to Indian (1996), was announced in November 2018, the shoot got delayed due to multiple reasons. On Wednesday, director Shankar released a new poster of the film, announcing that the shooting has resumed. Featuring Kamal Haasan, the poster read "Older, Wiser, Deadlier."
The film, which co-stars Kajal Aggarwal, Rakul Preet Singh, Priya Bhavani Shankar, and Bobby Simha, is bankrolled by Lyca Productions. The film has music by Anirudh Ravichander and cinematography by Ravivarman. The team also includes writers Jayamohan, Kabilan Vairamuthu and Lakshmi Saravanakumar.
The Ghost is a full-on action entertainer that sees Nagarjuna as Vikram fighting a whole lot of gangsters to save his elder sister and her daughter (Anikha Surendran). While the trailer does not reveal why they are in danger, the entire underworld mafia comes together to attack him. Sonal Chauhan plays Nagarjuna's partner in crime in his battle against the gangsters. This action entertainer is slated to hit the screens on October 5.
The Ghost is written and directed by Praveen Sattaru. The film co-stars Gul Panag, Manish Chaudhari, Ravi Varma, Shrikanth Iyyangar, and Bilal Hossein. It is produced by Suniel Narang, Puskur Ram Mohan Rao, and Sharrath Marar under the banners Sri Venkateswara cinemas LLP & North star entertainment. While Mukesh G has lensed the film, Dharmendra Kakarala has handled the editing, and Mark K Robin and Bharatt – Saurabh have scored the music.
The sequel to Pushpa: The Rise will soon go on floors as the makers conducted the pooja this Monday. Titled, Pushpa: The Rule, the film has Allu Arjun and Rashmika Mandanna reprising their roles. Like the original, the second installment is also helmed by Sukumar and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. The sequel will also star Fahadh Fazil, Dhanunjaya, Sunil, and Anasuya Bharadwaj. While Devi Sri Prasad will compose the music, Mireslow Kuba Brozek will handle the camera.
Nelson Dilipkumar's Jailer starring Rajinikanth in the lead, went on floors on Monday. The film which has music by Anirudh Ravichander is produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures. The cast includes Yogi Babu, Ramya Krishnan, Vinayakan, and Vasanth Ravi. The producers wrote on Twitter, "Jailer begins his action today". Rajinikanth plays a Jailer and the film is said to revolve around the happenings in a prison.
Dasara starring Nani and Keerthy Suresh is scheduled for a pan-Indian release on March 30th next year. Helmed by Srikanth Odela, this film marks the reunion of the lead pair after Nenu Local (2017). The release announcement poster featured Nani in a rugged look and has Silk Smitha's portrait in the backdrop. The film also co-stars Rohan Mathew, Sai Kumar, and Zarina Wahab.
It is produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under the banner of Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas. While Santhosh Narayanan has scored the music, Sathyan Sooryan ISC has handled the camera and Navin Nooli has edited the film.
Selvaraghavan's Naane Varuven starring Dhanush is in its post-production stage. The makers have announced that the film is coming soon to theatres, releasing two new posters. While Dhanush sports a clean-shaven look in one poster, he has a full beard in the other. Interestingly, billed as a thriller, the plot is said to revolve around two look-alikes. The film is bankrolled by Kalaipuli S Thanu and stars Indhuja Ravichandran, Elli AvRam, and Yogi Babu in important roles. Yuvan Shankar Raja has scored the music for the film.
Arun Vijay's Sinam, directed by GNR Kumaravelan, is slated to hit the screens on September 16, 2922. After Kuttram 23 and TamilRockerz, Arun Vijay plays a cop named Pari Venkat in Sinam. Also starring Palak Lalwani and Kaali Venkat, Arun Vijay will reportedly sport two looks in the film. Sinam is bankrolled by Vijaykumar under the banner MSPL Productions. S Gopinath has lensed the film and Shabir has composed the music.
Regina Cassandra's Damini and Nivetha Thomas' Shalini are two police aspirants who attend training at the Telangana State Police Academy in their upcoming film Saakini Daakini. While they both initially pull each other's legs, they later team up and fight crooks on the street. This action comedy, which is an official remake of the South Korean film Midnight Runners, releases on September 16.
Saakini Daakini is directed by Sudheer Varma and is bankrolled by the producers of Oh Baby – D. Suresh Babu, Sunitha Tati, and Hyunwoo Thomas Kim. While Richard Prasad has cranked the camera, Mikey McCleary has scored the music and Viplav Nyshadam has edited the film.
Narrating the story of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, a social reformer, Pathonpathan Nootandu is directed by Vinayan. Panicker was also Ezhava chieftain in the 19th century and fought against the inequalities in the society. This epic drama stars Siju Wilson, Anoop Menon, Chemban Vinod, Indrans, Kayadu Lohar, Gokulam Gopalan, and Sudev Nair.
Produced by Gokulam Gopalan, the film has songs by M Jayachandran and background score by Santhosh Narayanan. Shaji Kumar has handled the cinematography and Vivek Harshan has headed the editing. The film is slated to hit the screens on September 8.
Arya is Indian Army officer Captain Vetriselvan in Shakti Soundar Rajan's upcoming Tamil film Captain. And as with the filmmaker's earlier film Miruthan, this film too introduces a fantastical creature for the hero to butt heads with. If it was zombies in the 2016 film Miruthan, it's a murderous alien in Captain. The people who have stepped into the alien's territory, haven't returned back home, we are told in the film's trailer.
Captain, which co-stars Aishwarya Lekshmi, has music by D Imman. The film also marks Rajan's second-time collaboration with Arya following the release of Teddy (2021). It will be released in theatres on September 8.
The promo song Palthu Fashion Show from Palthu Janwar piqued the interest of the audience. Billed as a comedy-drama centered around animals, the makers have announced that the film will release on September 2.
Helmed by debutant Sangeeth P Rajan, Pathu Janwar stars Basil Joseph, Indrans, Johny Antony, Dileesh Pothan, Shammy Thilakan, Sruthy Suresh, and Jaya Kurup. The story is penned by Vinoy Thomas and Aneesh Anjali. Produced by Fahadh Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, and Syam Pushkaran, the film has music by Justin Varghese. Kiran Das has handled the editing and Renadive has lensed the camera.
Directed by Rohit Padaki, actor Dhananjaya's next film is titled Uttarakaanda. Produced by KRG Studios, the first look poster sees the actor in a mass look smoking two cigars sporting broken specs and blood on his hands.
Aparna Balamurali and Neeraj Madhav starrer seems like a slice of the life drama. It releases on SonyLIV on Septermber 2. Written and directed by Charlie Davis, Sundari Gardens also stars Neeraj Madhav, Binu Pappu, Vijayaraghavan, Sruthy Suresh, and Jude Anthony Joseph. While Swaroop Philip is the DOP, Sajit Unnikrishnan is the editor. The film has music by Alphons Joseph.