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.
The makers of Vijay starrer Leo recently released a short character teaser. The video focussed on the character Harold Das, played by Arjun Sarja. The teaser was released on August 15, celebrating the actor’s birthday. Sarja plays Harold Das, a gangster who seems to be part owner of ‘Das&Co.’ the company which is headed by Sanjay Dutt’s Anthony Das. The factory of the company was heavily featured in the first single of the film, ‘Naa Ready’.
Leo is written and directed by Lokesh Kannagaraj and co-stars Trisha, Mansoor Ali Khan, Mathew Thomas, Gautam Vasudev Menon, Mysskin, and Priya Anand. Backed by Seven Screens Studio, the film has music by Anirudh Ravichander and cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa. It is all set to be released on October 19.
Mohanlal, who was recently seen in a cameo role in Jailer, has joined hands with Jeethu Joseph for his next film. Titled Neru, the film was launched with a formal puja ceremony. The film will be produced by Anthony Perumbavoor under his Aashirvad Cinemas banner.
The successful director-actor duo are collaborating for the fifth time. After the two-part Drishyam film series, they reunited for 12th Man. They have also made the two-part thriller film Ram, which is yet to be released.
Rakshit Shetty’s Saptha Sagaradache Ello will be released in two parts. The makers have recently released the trailer of its first part, Side A. It follows the story of Manu and Priya, a couple who face obstacles when Manu gets imprisoned. The trailer shows the soft and romantic moments of the couple as they find comfort in each other. Rukmini Vasanth’s Priya is said to be a singer while Rakshit Shetty’s Manu is an employee who gets imprisoned for a crime. Avinash, Achyuth Kumar, and Sharath Lohitashwa also appear in the trailer.
Saptha Sagaradaache Ello is written and directed by Hemanth M Rao, who collaborates with Rakshit Shetty for the second time after the much-acclaimed Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu. Shetty produces the film with Rao’s regular collaborator Charan Raj scoring the music while Advaitha Gurumurthy and Varun Goli serve as the cinematographer and editor respectively. The first part of the film, Side A, will be released on September
The cast and crew of Nikhil Siddhartha's period film Swayambhu officially started shooting for the film. The makers announced the news with a new poster featuring the actor on a horse, with the background of a scroll and fantasy elements like a dragon. Directed by Bharath Krishnamachari, the historical fiction co-stars Samyuktha. The film is backed by Bhuvan and Sreekar under the banner Pixel Studios. Manoj Paramahamsa handles the cinematography while Ravi Basrur provides music.
Kunchacko Boban is all set to reprise the role of Kozhummal Rajeevan in the film Sureshinteyum Sumalathayudeyum Hridayahaariyaaya Pranayakatha. The film is a spin-off of last year’s blockbuster comedy Nna Thaan Case Kodu. The film starred Boban and Gayathrie Shankar, and the former went on to win the Best Actor Award at the Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for his role. Director Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval will be writing the screenplay of the spin-off film and co-produce it along with Emmanuel Joseph and Ajith Thalapalli.
On the occasion of India’s 77th Independence Day, the makers of Kamal Haasan’s Hey Ram released a remastered version of the film on YouTube. The political drama was first released in 2000 and was the directorial debut of Kamal Haasan. It follows the story of a partition survivor who spews vengence against Mahatma Gandhi. The film explores themes of patriotism and communal tensions in India.
Hey Ram was a Tamil-Hindi bilingual written and starred Kamal Haasan, Shah Rukh Khan, Saurabh Shukla, Rani Mukherjee, Vasundhara Das, and Naseeruddin Shah. It was produced by Haasan and Chandrahasan under the Raaj Kamal Films International banner. Ilaiyaraaja had scored the music.
The makers of the vigilante action film Indian 2 released a new poster of the film on Independence Day. The poster features lead actor Kamal Haasan as Senapathy, wearing a police uniform with tricolor balloons in the background.
Indian 2 is directed by Shankar Shanmugam, who has reunited with Kamal Haasan after over 25 years. The film is a sequel to the duo’s previous collaboration Indian, where Haasan played a dual role. It co-stars Siddharth, Rakul Preet Singh, Kajal Agarwal, Kalidas Jayaram, and others. Backed by Lyca Productions and Red Giant Movies, the film has music by Anirudh.
The makers of the Jr NTR’s Devara recently released the first look poster of Saif Ali Khan in the film. The pan-Indian film features Ali Khan as the antagonist Bhaira. The poster was released on the occasion of the actor’s birthday and features him in an intense look with long, unkempt hair. The film is set around a fishing community and hence has elements of the sea in all its posters.
Devara is written and directed by Koratala Siva and produced by Yuvasudha Arts. The film also stars Jahnavi Kapoor. Anirudh scores the music while Rathnavelu handles the cinematography. The film is set to be released on April 4, 2024.
The campus comedy Hoste Hudugaru Bekagiddare had a successful run in the theatres after its release on July 21. The Nithin Krishnamurthy directorial was known for its unique promotional campaign which featured many prominent stars of the Kannada film industry. After the success it received, the makers announced that the film would be dubbed and released in Telugu under the title Boys Hostel. The film features mostly newcomers and also has Rishab Shetty, Ramya, Pawan Kumar, and Diganth playing cameos. Boys Hostel is all set to be released on August 26 and will be presented by Annapurna Studios and Chai Bisket Films.
Along with a new poster, the makers of Kunchacko Boban’s Chaver have announced the release date of the film. The thriller is all set to be released on September 21. It is directed by Tinu Papachchan and also stars Arjun Asokan and Anthony Varghese. The film is backed by Arun Narayan and Venu Kunnappilly, with cinematography by Jinto George and music by Justin Varghese.
The makers of the film Karumegangal Kalaigindrana recently released the trailer for the film. It stars Bharatiraja as an ageing judge who is at loggerheads with his son, played by Gautam Vasudev Menon. On the other hand, Yogi Babu plays a father who is separated from his wife but wishes to reunite with his daughter. The parallel stories run together, exploring the relationships between family members.
Karumegangal Kalaigindrana is written and directed by Thankar Bachan. Produced by Riota Media, the film has music by GV Prakash Kumar and cinematography by N K Ekambaram. The film also stars Aditi Balan, Saaral, Delhi Ganesh, and SA Chandrasekhar. It is set to be released on September 1.
After playing prominent roles in this year’s Hondisi Bareyiri and Kranti, actress Samyuktha Hornad has reportedly joined the sets of Kichcha Sudeep’s next film. Tentatively titled Kichcha 46, the film is being shot in Mahabaleshwar. Hornad is also a part of Raj B Shetty’s Toby, which will be released on August 25.
Kichcha46 is directed by debutant Vijay Kartikeyaa. Kalaippuli S Thanu produces the film under his V Creations banner while the film is presented by Sudeep's own Kichcha Creations. B Ajaneesh Loknath has provided music for the film, reuniting with Sudeep after Vikrant Rona, with Shekar Chandra and SR Ganesh Baabu serving as the cinematographer and editor, respectively.
The makers of Panja Vaishhnav Tej’s Adikeshava recently announced a new release date. Earlier, the film was slated to be released on August 18. However, due to production delays and other reasons, the makers have now moved the release date to November 10. Directed by debutant Srikanth N Reddy, the film also stars Sreeleela, Joju George, and Aparna Das. It is produced by Naga Vamsi and Sai Soujanya under Sithara Entertainments and Fortune Four Cinemas Banners. Dudley has handled the camera while Navin Nooli is the editor. GV Prakash Kumar has composed the music.
The makers of the survival drama Juliana have released the film's trailer. Touted to be a unique survival drama focussing on a single character, the film will be a complete visual experience as there are no dialogues and it is the first film where the face of the protagonist is not revealed.
The survival drama is written and directed by Prasanth Mambully. Produced by Shinoy Mathew and Badusha NM, the film has cinematography and music by Sudheer Surendran and Ebin Pallichan, respectively. The trailer for the film was released by actors Dileep and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Malayalam actor and producer Dulquer Salmaan is currently awaiting the release of his action crime thriller King of Kotha and his Hindi web series debut Guns and Gulaabs. The actor has been a part of films in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam. When asked if he was planning on being a part of Kannada films as well, the actor hinted that he might soon be collaborating with actor-director Raj B Shetty. Salman mentioned he might produce Shetty’s next under his Wayfarer Films banner. There have been no official announcements yet. Raj B Shetty is currently awaiting the release of Toby. Directed by Basil Alchakkal, the film also stars Chaithra J Achar and Samyuktha Hornad. It is all set to be released on August 25.