Everything That Made News In Entertainment From The South (January 29 -February 4)

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. 

In Dasara, a rugged Nani leads a battle in the coal mines (Telugu)

Set in the backdrop of Singareni coal mines near Godavarikhani of Telangana, Dasara stars Nani, Keerthy Suresh, and Shine Tom Chacko in lead roles. From the looks of the teaser, the film seems to be about the uprising of the labour group in the coal mines. While we do not know what triggers the uproar, Dharani is furious and wants to take his enemies down no matter what.

Helmed by Srikanth Odela, the film is slated to hit the screens in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi on March 30. 

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Brahmanandam to star in Bhasker’s Keeda Cola (Telugu)

Billed as a crime comedy, Tharun Bhasker’s Keeda Cola will have eight protagonists. On the occasion of Brahmanandam’s birthday it was revealed that the veteran actor is one of the main leads. The actor will portray the role of Varadha Raju, a mean grandfather who is bound to a wheelchair and his only power is sarcasm. The film does not have any heroes or heroines and the film marks Tharun’s third directorial venture after Pelli Choopulu (2016) and Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi (2018).

First look of One Not Five Minuttess is out (Telugu)

Written and directed by Raju Dussa, the film is said to be a psychological thriller. The makers have released the first look of the film on social media. The poster is intriguing and has an eerie vibe and Hansika is seen staring at her other wounded self from the mirror. Produced by Bommak Shiva under the banner Rudransh Celluloids, the film has music by Sam CS. Kishore Boyidapu is the cinematographer and the editing is handled by Shyam Vadavalli. 

Rajamouli’s RRR wins Rotten Tomatoes Award (Telugu)

Jr NTR and Ram Charan starrer RRR has won the 2022 Golden Tomato award for the Best Fan Favorite Movie. The film was up against Top Gun: Maverick, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Batman and Avatar: The Way of Water. RRR had a rating of 95% on the tomatometer and a 94% on audience score, and the film also received the highest votes in a poll between January 12 to January 27. RRR has also won Best Film awards at Critics Choice Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards. 

The first single from Pathu Thala is out (Tamil)

Namma Satham, the first single from Pathu Thala is an AR Rahman musical treat. Silambarasan is back in form as a dancer in this spectacular number. The song composed, produced and arranged by Rahman is sung by him and Yogi Sekar. Lyrics to Namma Satham were penned by Vivek. 

Pathu Thala is the Tamil remake of Kannada film Mufti (2017). Silambarasan will portray the character played by Shivarajkumar in the Kannada version.

The first look of Prabhudheva's Wolf is out (Tamil)

Wolf marks Prabhudheva’s 60th film and the makers unveiled the first-look of the film on Friday. The motion poster of the film gives a peek into the world of Wolf, which sees Prabhdheva standing amidst a pack of wolves. Helmed by Vinoo Venkatesh, the film is backed by Sandesh Nagaraj. Anju Kurian and Lakshmi Rai have been roped to play the female leads in the film.

Jackie Shroff reportedly joins Rajinikanth’s Jailer (Tamil)

Rajinikanth's Jailer is one of the most anticipated releases of 2023. Directed by Nelson Dilipkumar, the film has an ensemble cast including appearances by Mohanlal and Shivarajkumar. Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff will now reportedly be part of the film. Jailer will mark Jackie Shroff’s and Rajinikanth’s third collaboration after Uttar Dakshin and Kochadaiyaan. Bankrolled by Sun Pictures, the film will have music by Anirudh Ravichander.

PC Shekar’s Love Birds gets a release date (Kannada)

Billed as a romantic musical starring the real-life couple Krishna and Milana Nagaraj, Love Birds is slated to hit screens on February 17. Love Birds marks the fourth collaboration of Krishna and Milana following Nam Duniya Nam Style, Charlie and Love Mocktail. Directed by PC Shekar and backed by Kaddipudi Chandru, the film also stars Samyukta Hornad in a prominent role.

Thalapathy 67 gets a title (Tamil)

Thalapathy 67, one of the most anticipated Tamil films of the year, has been titled Leo. The title video features Vijay as a chocolatier who dips a sword inside a melted chocolate. Trisha has been roped to play the female lead in the film and it marks her reunion with Vijay after 14 years. The film has a stellar cast of actors including Arjun, Mysskin, Priya Anand, Sanjay Dutt, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Mansoor Ali Khan. 

Written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Leo marks the director's second collaboration with Vijay after Master. Backed by Lalith Kumar under the banner Seven Screen Studio, Anirudh Ravichander is the music director of the film.

First Look of Ravichandran and Apoorva from Gowri Shankara is out (Kannada)

Helmed by debutant Anees, Gowri Shankara is said to be a family entertainer. Though the details of the film are kept under wraps, makers have released the first look of the film, which features Ravichandran and Apoorva dressed in costumes of King and Queen.

Dear Vaappi follows a father and daughter’s journey as they set up their fashion brand (Malayalam)

Basheer, a costume designer from Mumbai, returns to his hometown and he along with his daughter, Amira, plans to open a boutique. The trailer shows us glimpses of their struggle as they fight various odds to make their dream come true.

Dear Vappi is written and directed by Shan Thulaseedharan. Produced by R Muthaiah Murali under the banner Crown Films, the film stars Lal, Anagha Narayanan,  Niranj Maniyanpilla Raju in the lead roles.

Second look of Dulquer Salmaan from King of Kotha is out (Malayalam)

King of Kotha is a period gangster drama directed by Abhilash Joshiy and Abhilash N Chandran of Porinju Mariam Jose-fame has penned the script for the film. The makers released a second look of Dulquer Salmaan from the film. Produced by Wayfarer Films, the film co-stars Aishwarya Lekshmi, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Chemban Vinod Jose and Gokul Suresh. The film is slated to be released on Onam 2023.

Mammootty's Christopher gets a release date (Malayalam)

Billed as a crime-investigative thriller, Christopher is set to be released on February 9. Directed by B Unnikrishnan, the film reunites the director with actor Mammootty after 13 years. Christopher is based on real life incidents and the script for the film has been written by Udaykrishna. The film has an ensemble cast including Vinay Rai, Sarathkumar, Sneha, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Amala Paul, and Shine Tom Chacko.

First single from Christy is out (Malayalam)

Paalmanam, the first single from Christy featuring Mathew Thomas and Malavika Mohanan is a beautiful romantic song that explores the love-struck phase of a youngster. Kapil Kapilan and  Keerthana Vaidyanathan have rendered the song composed by Govind Vasantha.

Directed by Alvin Henry, Christy follows the story of a teenage boy falling in love with an older woman. Produced by Sajai Sebastian and Kannan Satheesan under the banner Rocky Mountain Cinemas, the film is slated to hit screens on February 17.

The teaser of Oh My Darling is out (Malayalam)

What if a taste of Korea was brought to Kerala? This is what is explored in the teaser of Alfred D Samuel's Oh My Darling, where a young woman (Anika) tries Soju, a Korean alcoholic drink for the first time. As she makes a yummy cocktail with her friend, the two of them are transported to another world.

Shooting resumes for Suriya 42 (Tamil)

Suriya 42 is a period drama directed by Siruthai Siva. The film is set to be released in ten languages and will have two parts. The film went on floors in August and the first schedule was wrapped in October. Disha Patani has been roped in to play the female lead and the film also stars Kovai Sarala, Yogi Babu, and Redin Kingsley. There are speculations that Mrunal Thakur will be essaying a pivotal role in the movie. Devi Sri Prasad is the music composer and the shooting for the film is expected to be wrapped by March or April.