![Everything That Made News In Entertainment From The South (May 12 - 18)](http://media.assettype.com/filmcompanion%2F2024-05%2Fd41caf91-2fc6-4335-91c6-89c094fa184e%2Fimage__1_.png?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
After the massive success of Aavesham, actor Fahadh Faasil seems to have multiple projects on his slate. The recent addition to his upcoming film slate is his first collaboration with director Jethu Joseph, who recently helmed Mohanlal’s Neru. The film is backed by E4 Entertainment. Faasil will also be seen in Karate Chandran, Odum Kuthira, Chadum Kuthira, and Vettaiyan.
Vijay Sethupathi was last seen in the Hindi-Tamil bilingual Merry Christmas. The title teaser of the actor’s 51st film was released recently. Titled Ace, the teaser included glimpses of other stars in the film such as Yogi Babu, Rukmini Vasanth, Divya Pillai, Babloo Prithviraj, and Priscilla Nair. The teaser hinted at the storyline being about gambling.
Ace is directed by Aarumugakumar, who also backs the film under the 7Cs Entertainment banner. The film has music by Justin Prabhakaran and cinematography by Karan Rawat. Sethupathi also has Viduthalai Part 2 and Maharaja as his upcoming releases.
KRG Studios and TVF are collaborating to produce multiple films and shows, with their first venture being the crime comedy Powder. The film stars Diganth Manchale in the lead role with an ensemble cast including Rangayana Raghu, Gopalkrishna Deshpande, Dhanya Ramkumar, and Sharmeila Mandre. The makers released a teaser for the film which promises a laugh riot with some dark humor sprinkled in between.
Powder is directed by Janardhan Chikkanna and is backed by Karthik Gowda, Yogi G Raj, Vijay Subramaniam, and Arunabh Kumar. The film has music by Vasukhi Vaibhav while Advaitha Gurumoorthy and Shanthi Sagar HG handle the camera. The film is set to release on July 12.
After the success of Katera, actor Darshan will be seen next in the film The Devil. The makers have now announced the female lead for the action entertainer. Tulu actress Rachana Rai is set to star opposite the actor in the upcoming film. She has starred in the Kannada film Vamana before.
The Devil is directed by Prakash Veer and is backed by J Jayamma under Shri Jayamatha Combines and Vaishno Studios. The film has music by B Ajaneesh Loknath while Sudhakarr S Raj cranks the camera.
After the mammoth success of RRR, Jr. NTR is all set to return to the big screen with Devara. The makers have announced that the first single from the film will be released on May 19. Titled ‘The Fear Song’, the single is composed by Anirudh Ravichander. Other details of the song such as the lead singer and lyricist are yet to be revealed.
Devara is written and directed by Koratala Siva and is backed by Nandamuri Kalyan Ram under the NTR Arts and Yuvasudha Arts banners. Janhvi Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan also star in the film along with Shine Tom Chacko and Prakash Raj. Anirudh scores the film while R Rathnavelu handles the cinematography. The film is set to release on October 10.
The makers of the upcoming rural comedy Moorane Krishnappa have announced that the film will be released on May 24. The film stars Rangayana Raghu, Sampath Maitreya, and Sripriya in lead roles. It is directed by Naveen Reddy of Akira fame. Mohan Reddy and Ravishankar back the film under the Red Dragon Films banner.
Superstar Rajinikanth will be next seen in TJ Gnanavel’s Vettaiyan. The makers announced that the actor has finished shooting his part for the film earlier this week. Though no release date has been announced, the film is set to be out soon. It also stars Fahadh Faasil, Dushara Vijayan, Amitabh Bachchan, Manju Warrier, and Rana Daggubati among others.
Vettaiyan is directed by TJ Gnanavel of Jai Bhim fame and is backed by Lyca Productions. Anirudh Ravichander handles the music while SR Kathir handles the camera. Rajinikanth also has Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie in the works.
Hopping on the trend of re-releases this year, the Nagarjuna starrer Manam is set to re-release on May 23. The film starred Nagarjuna, Naga Chaithanya, and Akkineni Naegeshwara Rao in lead roles, with it being the legendary yesteryear star’s final film. It was a huge success upon release in 2014.
Manam was directed by Vikram Kumar and was produced by the Akkineni Family under the Annapurna Studios banner. It also starred Samantha, Shriya Saran, and Brahmanandam in lead roles while Amitabh Bachchan, Amala Akkineni, and Akhil Akkineni appeared in cameos. Anup Rubens handled the music while PS Vinod handled the cinematography.
Filmmaker Akhil Sathyan recently announced his next directorial venture with actor Nivin Pauly. The Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum filmmaker mentioned that he was encouraged by Pauly to direct and that it was his privilege that he has got to work with the star in his second film. Pauly was last seen in Malayalee From India and Varshangalkku Shesham.
It was reported earlier that Ram Pothineni would be returning with director Puri Jagannadh for the sequel to iSmart Shankar. The makers of the sequel Double iSmart recently released a teaser for the film, showing Pothineni’s character as a badass assassin. The action-packed teaser also introduces the character of Sanjay Dutt, who plays the antagonist in the film.
Double iSmart is directed by Puri Jagannadh, who co-produces the film along with Charmie Kaur under the Puri Connects banner. The film also stars Kavya Thapar, Bani J, and Ali. Mani Sharma composes the music while Sam K Naidu and Giani Ginnelli handle the camera. The film is yet to get a release date.
Director Karthik Subbaraj is all set to collaborate with Suriya in his 44th film. The makers recently announced that the filmmaker’s regular collaborator Santhosh Narayanan would join Suriya 44 as the music director. The duo has worked on films such as Pizza, Jigarthanda, Jigarthanda Double X, Mahaan, Jagame Thandiram, and Iraivi. Suriya 44 is backed by 2D Entertainment.