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 By Rinku Gupta The first look poster of Tollywood hero Sundeep Kishan's sports entertainer is rocking on social media. Titled A1 Express, the film is a sports comedy  set in the backdrop of hockey.   The poster shows a fully toned, muscled, lean Sundeep Kishan in full winner mode. The film is said to be based on  Hip Hop Tamizha Tamil starrer Natpe Thunai. Incidentally, Hip Hop Tamizha Adhi has also scored the music for the Telugu version This is a big moment for Sundeep as it is his 25th film and also according to him,  Telugu industry's first hockey film. He tweeted, " Humbly presenting to you our most Ambitious Film to date,TFI’s 1st hockey film. A lso Happens to be my #25th film 🤟🏽 1st look of our Baby.  A @hiphoptamizha 🎧" Lavanya Tripathi plays the female lead. The film is directed by Dennis Jeevan Kanukolanu and produced by TG Vishwa Prasad, Abhishek Aggarwal, Sundeep Kishan and Daya Pannem.

By Rinku Gupta Legendary actor, comedian of yesteryears, Senthil, has been signed to play the lead role in a film. A social satire to be shot in a remote village near Tuticorin, it  will be a never before role for the actor. The untitled film is to be directed by Suresh Sangaiah.  This  is director  Suresh Sangaiah’s third project. Suresh has earlier directed the critically acclaimed “Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu” and also recently completed his second film “Sathiya Sodhanai” starring Premgi Amaren Super Talkies Sameer Bharat Ram who is also behind films like Uriyadi and the upcoming releases Panni Kutty , Kadaisi Vivasayi , Sathiya Sodhanai and Darbuka Siva’s Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee is producing it. The film is going on floors in February.  

 By Rinku Gupta Maara, the R Madhavan, Shraddha Srinath, Mouli, Sshivada starrer directed by Dhilip Kumar, dropped on Amazon Prime on 8 Jan. The film is adapted from the Dulquer Salmaan- Parvathi starrer Charlie (Malayalam). For those like me,  who haven't seen the original, the movie was a refreshing, leisurely journey of discovery, with no distracting comparisons to contend with. The story takes you into the worlds of several characters as you follow the footsteps of a restoration expert Paaro ( Shraddha) who herself is trying to trace the elusive, ever-on- the- move, Maara ( R Madhavan). Magically drawn to his art work in a new town, she is baffled by the subject of his murals which take her back in time to a significant and much- cherished childhood moment. She is bent upon meeting him no matter what it takes.  Who is Maara and what is it that binds these two souls  invisibly?  The unhurried pace of the movie draws you in delightfully. Travelling with the ch...

 by Rinku Gupta The shoot of Karthick Naren's Dhanush starrer D43 started today. The film is back rolled by Sathyajyothi Films.   This is GV Prakash Kumar's 5th musical combo with Dhanush and the music director is quite excited about it as Dhanush has sung a mass opening track. He tweeted, "#D43 song shoot starts today ... the opening track sung by @dhanushkraja written by @Lyricist_Vivek will be a #BadAss stylish mass track ..." The shoot was attended by the cast of Dhanush and Malavika Mohanan along with Smruthi Venkat and Samudrakani. What's more,  Dhanush has posted on his social. media page that the title of the film has also been finalized,"As I type #D43 we just finalised the title . Title announcement soon. #D43 shoot starts from today. Om Namah Shivaya". Fans are quite excited speculating about what that title could be. Any guesses?

 By Rinku Gupta Director Selvaraghavan has been very busy in the last few weeks on the work front. A film with Dhanush, Aayirathil Oruvan was announced, apart from another film with producer Kalaipuli Thanu. Now, theres another good news, this time on the personal front for the maverick director.  Selvaraghavan and wife Gitanjali have been blessed with their third child, a baby boy, today  The couple who have 2 kids, Lilavathi and Omkaar, have named their baby Rishikesh Selvaraghavan. Gitanjali who has been  very active during her pregnancy with regular updates on social media, posted today, "Rishikesh Selvaraghavan came into this world and our hearts earlier this morning, 7th January 2021 Healthy and happy. A big Thank you to each and everyone of you for all your blessings and good wishes! Truly touched by the support and love you've all shown us. Believe me The feeling is mutual! You guys are the best! Lots of love,  Gitanjali, Selvaraghavan, Lilavathi and Omk...

 by Rinku Gupta Tollywood heroine   Raashi Khanna is on a roll with several Kollywood films in hand.  One major project is the Vijay Sethupathi   commercial entertainer Tughlaq Darbar,directed by Delhiprasad Deena Dayalan and produced by Seven Screen Sudios. The movie shoot now resumed after a break. Raashi took some time off to share some cute selfies from the location with interesting captions ' Coming soon ' 'I was actually thinking about my next dialogue '  ' This picture was better than the selfie ' The shoot has now wrapped up for her and she wrote, "And it’s the end of another beautiful journey #TughlaqDurbar with the super talented @VijaySethuOffl sir! Thankyou @DDeenadayaln sir and team for making this such a memorable one! Can’t wait for you to see this one!" We too want to see this fresh pairing on screen!

 by Rinku Gupta Another star kid is entering Kollywood now. Actor and comedian Chaams has made a mark for himself in Ktown as a supporting actor. Now his strapping young son, Yohan is all set to enter films.                     Actor Chaams in Centre pic But its not without ample preparation first. Says his proud father, "My Son Yohan is ready to step into  the cine - field as an actor after completing an acting course of Koothupattarai and a Film-making course at BOFTA." The latter is run by ace producer G Dhananjayan while Koothupattarai has trained many leading young actors in the industry.  At present, Yohan is gaining film experience by starting behind the camera, on sets. He  is working as an Assistant Director under the able guidance of director Ram. Chaams adds, "We are hopeful and positive for the future. We need your blessings and wishes for Yohan." Yohan's looks and tall frame all point to a bright future. ...

 by Rinku Gupta At the Silambarasan Pongal release,  Eeswaran Audio launch , director Suseinthiran's behaviour on stage during heroine Niddhi Agerwal's speech came in for much criticism and trolling from fans of Silambarasan and Niddhi as well as the general public. Comments on social media implied that he was maybe drunk and that his pushy behaviour towards the heroine was uncalled for and far from the norm. Many others gave him the benefit of doubt and felt that he was only joking and  talking in a light-hearted manner and he he had anyway been coming on stage even when others were speaking. But what actually happened? Suseinthiran came on stage while Niddhi Agerwal  was speaking at her debut Kollywood audio launch. ( to watch 'controversial' Niddhi - Suseinthiran speech on stage, click here) As she started thanking her director and team, Suseinthiran in a very jovial mood, kept interrupting her speech and said, ' say mama I Love you' to Silambarasan. Niddh...

 By Rinku Gupta The first big public event of 2021 in Kollywood took place today at the Albert theatre in Chennai. The occasion was the grand audio launch of Silambarasan's Pongal release Eeswaran . The hero made  a mass entry at the thiruvizha kind of event that was a shot in the arm for fans who have been longing for the comeback of their hero.  The film's heroine  Niddhi Agerwal was present along with Bharathi Rajaa Nandita Sweta , Kaali Venkat, Bala Saravanan, Mahat Raghavendra and others. The music is by Thaman. This is Tollywood heroine Niddhi's first big public event in K Town as she makes  a grand debut here this year with Eeswaran in Theatres and Bhoomi on OTT in January. Clad in veshti- sattai, Simbu looked dapper as he took in the cheers of the crowd. Speaking at the event he disclosed that Suseinthiran's sheer positivity in the script that gave him an uplifting experience, which prompted him to take up this film in the lockdown. He added that he ha...

 By Rinku Gupta One of the big reveals from Tollywood on New Year's day is here. Actor Samantha Akkineni is playing the lead role of Shakuntala in Okkadu and Rudramadevi fame director Gunasekhar's grand mythological epic titled Shaakuntalam . The huge announcement came on New Year's day, by the director who announced his kavyanayaki , and later from heroine Samantha Akkineni herself, sending social media into a tizzy.  Director Gunasekhar with his daughter Neelima Guna, the producer of the film. The National Award winner Gunasekhar posted, "Before manifesting the spectacle of Narasimha Avatar on the silver screen in Hiranyakashyapa, presenting to you a whimsical tale of Love ' from the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata." The movie,  has been on the cards for Gunasekhar but the lead of this film was keep under wraps. In an earlier interview, Gunasekhar, who is fascinated by  Indian mythologicals, had revealed that it took him 8 months to complete the script, which...

 by Rinku Gupta Yesterday we had brought you news of Selvaraghavan confirming that he will be making Aayirathil Oruvan 2. And on New Year's day, the biggest announcement of the season has come from the maverick director about the hero of the film.  None other than his brother Dhanush will be reprising the lead in the sequel. Very recently, Selva had announced teaming up with brother Dhanush for a film. Now he has tweeted, along with a poster, that he will be presenting Aayirathil Oruvan 2, a much awaited sequel wished by fans, with none other than Dhanush in the lead. The pre-production stage will last for a year, given the scale of the project. The film is slated for a 2024 release.  An excited Dhanush tweeted,  "A magnum opus !! The pre production alone will take us a year. But a dream film from the master @selvaraghavan ! The wait will be long. But we will give our best to make it all worth it. AO2 ..The Prince returns  in 2024" Dhanush who has been shooting ...

 by Rinku Gupta Director Selvaraghavan who has turned actor as well with Saanikaayidham, is ending the year on a high. His decade old magnum opus Aayirathil Oruvan ( Karthi , Reema Sen, Parthiban, Andrea) had re -released in theatres today and is recieving rave responses. Fans and viewers have been posting thier appreciation to Selva on social media and the usually reticent filmmaker is responding. In a reply to one such post from Ruban Mathivanan, the MD of GK Cinemas, Porur, Selva has confirmed his enthusiasm to make a sequel. Ruban posted,  "#AayirathilOruvan what a master piece this is, way way ahead of its time. Such a engaging film from the word go.. dear @selvaraghavan sir pls do part 2 of this epic!!!  And @gvprakash #Bgm is 🔥🔥🔥" In reply to this,  Selvaraghavan has written, "Thank you so much ! Yes ! I will do A.O.2" The director is currently prepping for a film with Dhanush and Yuvan Shankar Raja, which is causing huge expectations amongst fans.  A...

 by Rinku Gupta Actor Priya Bhavani Shankar has been signed on to play the female lead  in the STR-Gautham Karthik starrer “Pathu Thala”. She will be playing a Tehsildar, opposite Gautham Karthik. Director Obeli N. Krishna says, “The character played by Priya Bhavani Shankar wouldn’t be a blink and miss role, but will have lots of substance. She will be playing Gautham’s pair, and her character as Tehsildar has its own conflicts and drama. It wouldn’t be a run-of-the-mill role and audience will definitely like it "  The shoot is slated for March 2021 and will be wrapping up in a short span. The makers are busy now finalizing the actors and technicians and will be revealing the complete list soon.  The team wished the actor in her birthday. She has taken off for Chikmagalur for a short holiday to ring in her big day. Pathu Thala is produced by K.E. Gnanavel Raja for Studio Green Films and, is directed by Obeli N. Krishna (Sillunu Oru Kadhal, Nedunchalai fame).

 by Rinku Gupta Actor Silambarasan TR is bringing his Suseinthiran directed Eeswaran to the screens this Pongal. The film has bagged a U certificate  from the censors. The film is set to hit the screens on January 14th.  The clash will be with Vijay's Master directed by Lokesk Kanagaraj, which will release a day earlier, on January 13th.   Simbu himself confirmed the news to elated fans, on his social media pages,  "With blessings of almighty #Eeswaran coming to screens worldwide this January 14th. " Nidhi Agerwal makes her Kollywood entry while Thaman scores the music. Nandita Sweta is also part of the cast. Silambarasan has lost oodles of weight and will be seen in a new avatar. This is his big comeback in a renewed, energised avatar and has already garnered a lot of attention.  The audio will release on 2nd January. The word on the final theatre count for both films is yet to be confirmed.  With 100 percent occupancy perhaps on the cards but s...

 by Rinku Gupta There were several rumors ciculating on social media and in  media circles about Nayanthara's next project. It was being said she  was touted to essay  the role of Queen Velu Nachiyar in a period film. The much revered, 18th century  brave warrior  queen was known to be the first to wage a war with the British East India Company and is also known as Veeramangai. But now, Nayanthara's publicists have confirmed that all such rumors are baseless. Nayan who was last seen in Mookuthi Amman and is awaiting release of Netrikann, is not playing Velu Nachiyar.  A statement from her team says, "Certain news stating that Ms .Nayanthara is a  part of period film based on the life of Queen Velu Nachiyar has been circulating in  some sections of the media. Ms Nayanthara categorically denies such a movie and we voice her opinion on the same to the media. This is a baseless rumour."

 By Rinku Gupta Even as fans looked forward to Superstar Rajinkanth's grand announcement of his political party's name slated for the year end, came the news of his recent hopitalisation.  4 crew members of the Annaatthe unit he was shooting with,  tested Covid positive while Rajini himself had to be hospitalized with highly fluctuating blood pressure.  He was howecer discharged in a few days, but advised medical rest and reached home to Chennai. Today, in a press statement from him,  came the most unexpected news. Rajini announced that he will not be entering active  politics. In his statement, he apologises to fans and  explains in detail, the reasons for this painful decision. Detailing the events that led up to this decision and taking it as a sign from God, he said,  "After announcing that my political party will start in January, I went to attend the shooting of 'Annaatthe' in Hyderabad despite the advice of doctors. The film unit consisted ...