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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.
Any Vadivelu fan would realise that the title Naai Sekar Returns is hat tip to comedians iconic character from filmmaker Suraj’s Thalai Nagaram (2006). The trailer begins with a person named Angelina missing, but after a series of kidnaps, we are told that the ones who are being abducted are not humans, but dogs. The film brings back vintage Vadivelu, as Naai Sekar, the dog kidnapper. He doles out one-liners throughout the trailer. Helmed by Suraj, Naai Sekar Returns will be released on December 9.
Mammootty starrer Christopher is directed by B Unnikrishnan. The film is a thriller based on real life events and the character poster of Amala Paul was shared by the makers on social media. The actor plays Sulekha and is introduced as ‘the seeker.’ Written by Uday Krishna, the film is produced by Aroma Mohan and RD Illumination. The film also marks the entry of Tamil actor Vinay Rai into Malayalam cinema. While Manoj has handled the cuts, Faiz Siddik has cranked the camera and Justin Varghese has composed the music for the film.
Witness is a political drama that shows the cruel reality of manual scavenging. The film follows the journey of a mother who is fighting against all odds to seek justice to her son who got killed because of manual scavenging. The film will premier on Sony Liv from December 9.
Directed by Deepak, the film stars Shraddha Srinath, Rohini, Subatra Robert, and Shanmuga Raja in prominent roles. Produced by TG Vishwa Prasad, the film has music by Ramesh Thamilmani. Muthuvel and JP Sanakya have penned the screenplay and Philomin Raj has handled the editing. Director Deepak has also handled the cinematography.
Inspired by 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai, Bedurulanka 2012 is a dramedy. Written and directed by Clax, it stars Kartikeya & Neha Sshetty in lead roles. The makers of the film have shared the motion poster on social media with the tagline, ‘The biggest hoax ever played.’ The poster is intriguing and gives a glimpse into the first look of Kartikeya’s character.
The film is produced by Ravindra Benerjee Muppaneni under the banner Loukya Entertainments. Viplav Nyasadam has handled the editing for the film while Sai Prakash Ummadisingu and Sunny Kurapati have lensed the film. Sirivennela Seetharamashastry, Kittu Vissapragada, and Krishna Chaitanya have penned the lyrics for Mani Sharma’s music.
Billed as a family entertainer, Varisu is Vijay’s 66th film. In the new poster of the film, Vijay is shown resting on a car, holding a glass of tea. The poster also confirms the film’s worldwide release on Pongal 2023.
Varisu is directed by the Telugu filmmaker Vamshi Paidipally, marking the director's entry into Tamil film industry. It is a Tamil-Telugu bilingual, titled Vaarasudu in Telugu. Produced by Dil Raju and Shirish under the banner Sri Venkateshwara Creations, it stars Rashmika Mandanna, Prabhu, Sarath Kumar, Prakash Raj, and Khushbu. Karthik Palani is the cinematographer, KL Praveen is the editor and S Thaman is the music director.
Lijin Jose of Friday (2012) and Law Point (2014) fame has directed Her. A story about five women from different walks of life, the first look of the film features Urvashi, Aishwarya Rajesh, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Lijomol Jose and Ramya Nambessan. Written by Archana Vasudev, the film has cinematography by Chandru Selvaraj. Kiran Das has handled the editing and Govind Vasantha has scored the music for the film.
Ajith and Manju Warrier starrer Thunivu shoot was wrapped up. Directed by H Vinoth, the film is said to be a bank heist movie and Ajith will be seen playing a grey shaded character. Produced by Bay View Projects and Zee Studios, the film also stars Veera, Samuthirakani, Ajay, and John Kokken in prominent roles. Vijay Velukutty has handled the editing for the film while Nirav Shah has lensed the film. Ghibran is the music composer. Thunivu marks Ajith and Vinoth’s third outing after Valimai (2022) and Nekonda Paaravai (2019).
The sequel of Ajay Gnanamuthu’s (of Cobra fame) horror film Demonte Colony (2015) is in making. The makers of the film shared a poster on twitter with the tagline,‘Vengeance Of The Unholy.’ The poster and the tagline sets an eerie and mysterious tone.The film is set in Demonte Colony area in Chennai’s Alwarpet. Arulnithi Tamilarasu from the first film is part of the second film and Priya Bhavani Shankar is said to join the cast. Kumaresh and Ravi Pandi will handle the editing and Deepak D Menon will handle the cinematography. The music for the film will be composed by Sam CS.
Real life mother-daughter duo Asha Sharath and Uthara Sharath will be seen playing reel mother-daughter for the first time. The trailer of Khedda shows us a peek into the day to day life of Asha Sharath’s character. The character seems to be stuck in a loveless marriage yearning for love but soon the atmosphere shifts into the mode of a mystery thriller.
Khedda is written and directed by Manoj Kana. Produced by KV Abdul Nasar under the banner Benzy Productions, the film co-stars Uthara Sharath, Sudev Nair, and Sudheer Karamana. Manoj Kuroor has written the lyrics for the music of Sreevalsan J Menon. Prathap P Nair has handled the cinematography and Manoj Kanoth has edited the film. The background music for the film has been scored by Biji Bal.
Satya Dev and Tamannaah starrer Gurtunda Seethakalam is a romantic drama. The film is inspired by the hit Kannada film, Love Mocktail (2020). After facing multiple release plans, the film is now slated to hit the screens on December 9. The film co-stars Megha Akash and Kavya Shetty in important roles. Helmed by Nagashekar Rachaiah and the film is produced under the banners Nagashekar Movies and Manikanta Entertainments, in association with Srivedakshara Films. Kaala Bhairava has scored the music for the film and Kotagiri Venkateswar Rao has handled the editing.
The teaser opens up with a character being taken to jail. We are then shown glimpses from the lives of this character, with elements of friendship, love and mystery. The film is slated to be released on December 30.
Written and directed by Kushal Gowda, the film is produced by Sri Hari under the banner Niharika Movies. It stars Daali Dhananjaya, Aditi Prabhudeva, and Praanya P Rao. Arjun Janya has composed the music for the film and J Anoop Seelin has scored the background music. The editing has been handled by Harish Komme and cinematography is done by Karthik S.
Billed as a college drama, Padavi Poorva marks the directorial debut of Hariprasad Jayanna. The “Friendship Song'' has set the tone for the film. Produced by Yogaraj Cinemas and Ravi Shamanur Films, the film stars Prithvi Shamanur, Anjali Anish and Yasha Shivakumar in the main roles. Yogaraj Bhat has written the lyrics to Arjun Janya’s music, Santhosh Rai Pataje has handled the cinematography. Padavi Poorva is scheduled to hit theatres on December 30.
Helmed by S Krishna of Pailwaan fame, Kaali is a love story set during the Cauvery riots of 1990s. The film follows the love story of a Kannada boy and a Tamil girl. Abishek Ambareesh and Sapthami Gowda play the leads. After a pooja, the film was officially launched the film on Monday.
Billed as a romantic thriller, Mukhachitram is reportedly about a love triangle and how one of the characters gets plastic surgery. Actor Vishwaksen will be seen playing a guest role in this film. Directed by Gangadhar and written by Sandeep Raj, it stars Vikas Vasista, Priya Vadlamani and Ravishankar. Produced by Pradeep Yadav and Mohan Yella, the film has music by Kaala Bhairava. Pavan Kalyan Kodati is the editor and Sreenivas Bejugam is the DOP.