BY SUNIT JANGIR

Los Angeles, August 29 - After the dismal performance of Hari Hara Veera Mallu, the power star Pawan Kalyan is ready to bounce back with a bang. The Telugu superstar has begun showcasing his raw stardom with one of his most highly anticipated films in recent times, They Call Him OG, in advance bookings at the North American box office. Directed by Sujeeth, the gangster action thriller is still nearly 4 weeks away from hitting the big screens, but the pre-sales are already breathing fire as far as the North America premiere is concerned. The pre-sales of OG began on August 27 in NA, and in no time, it has crossed $500K already for the premiere, which is on September 24. During the first hour of pre-sales opening, OG saw record-breaking response, with four shows at Cinemark Dallas selling out in minutes. Seeing the response, 35 premiere shows have already been scheduled at one of the top-grossing Cinemark theatres in Dallas, by distributor Prathyangira Cinemas. The pre-sales exploded as more locations opened the booking, and as per Venky Box Office, it has crossed $500K from nearly 1125 shows over 300 locations and sold over 17,000 tickets. OG is the fastest Telugu title to achieve $500K pre-sales in North America. Prathyangira Cinemas has kept ticket prices as high as $25-$30, as fans fuel a potential blockbuster. Going by the initial trend, OG will be eyeing one of the biggest premiere days in North America for a Telugu film. Trade anticipates that the film might cross $2 million premiere gross, which will be the highest for a Pawan Kalyan-starrer. OG stars Pawan Kalyan in the title role of Ojas Gambheera alongside Emraan Hashmi as Omi Bhau (in his Telugu film debut), and Priyanka Mohan as the female lead. The film revolves around a ruthless don named Ojas Gambheera "OG" who returns to Mumbai following his ten-year disappearance, to reclaim his empire and exact vengeance on the current tyrant, Omi Bhau. It is scheduled to hit the big screen on September 25 in multiple languages. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Chennai, August 29 - Tamil actor and filmmaker Pradeep Ranganathan is emerging as the favourite youngster among the fans as he has impressed one and all, especially the Gen Z, with the kind of films he has done in his short career he has had so far. He made his debut as a director with Comali (2019), in which he also played a cameo, as the movie became a blockbuster. His directorial debut, quickly followed by his acting debut as a lead hero with Love Today (2022), which he also directed. It became a phenomenal success and made him one of the most relatable storytellers for today's audience. Pradeep's knack for mixing humour with heartfelt emotions struck a chord with both youngsters and families, and now, the filmmaker-turned-actor is all set to return with his next project, Dude. Touted as a youth-driven entertainer, Dude is said to be an emotional action drama centred on themes of love, betrayal, and vengeance. With its catchy title and Pradeep himself fronting the project, Dude is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Tamil films of 2025. If Love Today was about love and technology colliding, Dude might just be the ultimate Gen Z anthem for cinema lovers. Directed by Keerthiswaran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers, Dude stars Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju in the lead roles, alongside R. Sarathkumar, Hridhu Haroon and Rohini. The film is scheduled to release on October 21, coinciding with Diwali. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, August 28 - The Malayalam film industry has its moment, once again, as two of its most-anticipated films - Hridayapoorvam and Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra - open big at the box office during the Onam holiday period, despite clashing against each other on the same day and date. The Mollywood industry normally doesn't indulge in the box office clashes, but to get the advantage of the Onam holidays, superstar Mohanlal's family comedy drama Hridayapoorvam was pitched against Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah, and the gamble seems to have worked as both films open with positive reception and solid openings at the box office. The opening day battle is won by the Mohanlal-starrer, which has scored 3.80 crores gross collection in India and 8.35 crores worldwide. However, the movie got tough competition from Lokah, which looks like going to be a major box office winner. Despite clashing with the Malayalam titan, the first instalment in the filmmaker Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Cinematic Universe has taken a very good start of around 3.15 crores gross in India and over 6.50 crores worldwide. The critics' reviews and audience reception for Lokah are super positive, and seeing the opening day box office trajectory, it is going to rule the opening extended Onam weekend domestically, especially in Kerala. If early signs are anything to go by, the Kalyani Priyadarshan-fronted superhero saga could emerge as a big blockbuster in the long run. Trade experts note that while Hridayapoorvam has secured a bigger opening day tally, the sustainability of Lokah Chapter 1 could shift the momentum as the weekend progresses, as the superhero genre can explode if audience reception is on the positive side. Chandra has the potential to grow stronger in the coming days, much like earlier cult successes in regional cinema. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Tamil cinema fans, brace yourselves—several highly anticipated releases are headed your way, and we’re curious: which one are you most excited for? ##Idli Kadai, Dhanush’s fourth directorial outing, hits theaters on October 1, boasting a vibrant rural backdrop, music by G. V. Prakash, and a stellar cast including Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj, plus a cameo by R. Parthiban. ##Meanwhile, Parasakthi, directed by Sudha Kongara and starring Sivakarthikeyan, Ravi Mohan, Atharvaa, and Sreeleela, is a gripping political period drama set during the Anti‑Hindi agitations of 1965. With music by G. V. Prakash Kumar and scenes shot across Chennai, Pollachi, Madurai, and Sri Lanka, it is slated for a grand Pongal 2026 release. Interestingly, the film takes inspiration from the iconic 1952 Parasakthi, honoring its legacy while telling a new, powerful story for today’s generation. ##Then there’s STR 49, starring Silambarasan TR and directed by Parking fame Ramkumar Balakrishnan, which aims to be a dark, stylish commercial entertainer set in a college backdrop. The cast includes Santhanam (reuniting with STR after a decade), Kayadu Lohar as the female lead, and Ravi Kishan in a supporting role. With cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa, art direction by Subentar PL, and music by Sai Abhyankkar, the film explores a mysterious dual life—hinted at in its first look, where STR is shown holding both an engineering book and a bloodied butcher’s knife. Despite early production delays and rumors of creative friction, the film is now back on track, with the director recently confirming that script work is progressing toward a full-scale revival. ##Karuppu, directed by RJ Balaji and led by Suriya and Trisha, is a compelling courtroom drama exploring caste and social justice—initially planned for Diwali, but now expected to release around Pongal 2026. ##Indian 3, the much-awaited sequel directed by S. Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan, SJ Suryah, Kajal Aggarwal, and Siddharth, continues its massive production journey and is expected to follow soon after Indian 2. ##Finally, Jananayagan, featuring Thalapathy Vijay, is still under tight wraps with no official details on its cast, crew, or plot revealed yet. ##So tell us—which upcoming Tamil film has you counting down the days?

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 28 - Very few would have imagined the journey Sidharth Malhotra was going to have when he made his Bollywood debut with filmmaker Karan Johar's coming-of-age romantic comedy Student of the Year in 2012. Over the last 13 years, the actor has left a mark with films across romance, action, thrillers, and war drama genres. As he now gears up for his 2025 release, Param Sundari, here's a look at the highlights of his cinematic journey so far. The Debut and Early Success Filmmaker Karan Johar, famous for launching star kids in Bollywood, launched Sidharth alongside Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan in Student of the Year (2012), a youthful drama that became a commercial success and positioned him as a promising newcomer. He followed it up with Hasee Toh Phasee (2014), a quirky rom-com where his chemistry with Parineeti Chopra was appreciated, and Ek Villain (2014), which marked his entry into the big league. Experimentation and Mixed Bag Phase After the big early success, Sidharth tested different genres over the next few years. In Brothers (2015), he attempted a high-intensity sports drama with superstar Akshay Kumar, as the film ended up as an average affair. Kapoor & Sons (2016), however, turned out to be a critical and commercial hit, showcasing him in an ensemble with a layered family drama. Films like Baar Baar Dekho (2016), A Gentleman (2017), Ittefaq (2017), and Aiyaary (2018) received mixed to negative responses, making this a challenging period for the actor. The Resurgence & Patriotic Turn Sidharth bounced back with Marjaavaan (2019), a massy romantic action film with seetimaar dialogues that connected with single-screen audiences. It was the biographical war drama, Shershaah (2021), that could have become the biggest box office success of the actor, but it was denied that chance due to its direct-to-digital release. It was still a game-changer for the actor as his portrayal of Captain Vikram Batra won widespread acclaim, bringing him critical respect, as he was hailed for delivering his career-best performance. Recent Works & Looking Ahead Post-Shershaah, Sidharth ventured into diverse territories. He shared screen with Ajay Devgn in the fantasy comedy-drama film Thank God (2022), which bombed at the box office, before he starred in a direct-to-digital release, Mission Majnu (2023), a patriotic spy thriller, and Yodha (2024), a high-octane action film. The actor's journey after the COVID-19 pandemic has hit a roadblock with no big success, barring Shershaah, which saved the day for him. The actor is now stepping into romantic comedy once again with Param Sundari (2025), co-starring Janhvi Kapoor. Billed as a breezy entertainer, the film is already generating buzz as a genre comeback for Sidharth after years of intense roles. The movie, from Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films, is gearing up to hit the big screens on August 29, as a potential success for the actor. Across 13 years, Sidharth Malhotra's cinematic journey has had highs and lows, but what stands out is his resilience and ability to reinvent himself. From the candy-floss romance of Student of the Year to the grit of Shershaah, and now towards the playful charm of Param Sundari, he continues to remain a relevant and evolving presence in Bollywood. Going forward, the actor continues to experiment, as his next is a folk thriller, Vvan: Force of the Forrest, which releases next year. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 28 - Sidharth Malhotra is gearing up for the release of his much-anticipated romantic comedy Param Sundari, which also has Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead. Directed by Tushar Jalota, the movie has come at a time when romantic films are making their comeback at the box office, and all eyes are on how Param Sundari handles the situation. Sidharth, who has been going through a tough phase in his career as far as the box office is concerned, is banking heavily on this light-hearted entertainer to reconnect with audiences who once loved him in films like Hasee Toh Phasee and Student of the Year. In the post-pandemic era, the big-ticket action entertainers have ruled the box office, while romantic comedies are slowly but surely gaining momentum. Param Sundari aims to revive the space with a fresh mix of romance, comedy, and vibrant music, hoping to appeal to young urban audiences as well as families. As has been the history, the romantic-comedy films (barring a few) heavily bank on word of mouth and Param Sundari falls in that category, even though it is seeing decent response in the pre-sales. Looking at the pre-sales trend and per trade projections, the film could open in the range of 7–9 crores on Day 1, depending on word of mouth. It will be released on over 2500 screens nationwide. The good thing is that the movie has managed to generate decent buzz through trailer and songs, which should boost spot bookings. If the film manages to deliver the right mix of humour and emotional depth, it could enjoy a strong run, especially with limited competition in the rom-com zone. For Sidharth Malhotra, Param Sundari is more than just another release — it's a crucial film that could decide his trajectory going forward. A clean hit would not only re-establish him as a bankable star but also bring the rom-com genre back into the conversation after years of being overshadowed by action blockbusters and big-scale dramas. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, August 28 - The Malayalam cinema is ready to strike again, and this time, in the most unfamiliar territory, superhero, with Kalyani Priyadarshan-fronted Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra. Indian superhero space has always been a tricky one, unlike Hollywood, which churns out global blockbusters. Here, we have only seen a handful of attempts in the genre, and when it comes to Malayalam, the examples are minimal. Before Lokah, the Mollywood industry had a chance to shine at the box office with Tovino Thomas' Minnal Murali (2021) in the superhero genre, but the makers' reluctance and lack of patience amid the growing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic didn't let that chance become a reality. Director Basil Joseph's film stood tall as a genuine masterpiece — a film that blended local flavour with superhero spectacle. Yet, despite the critical acclaim and the public approval, Minnal Murali never had the chance to prove itself at the box office, owing to its direct-to-digital release on Netflix during the pandemic. Well, the Mollywood, widely regarded as the content factory, has another opportunity to strike gold at the box office with a superhero, and this is where Lokah Chapter 1 – Chandra steps in. Headlined by Kalyani Priyadarshan, the film is already drawing attention as one of the most ambitious superhero outings in Mollywood. The initial word of mouth of the film is highly positive, with early audiences praising its ambitious universe that blends entertainment with heroism beautifully. It is the first instalment in the planned Wayfarer Cinematic Universe, from filmmaker Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films. Lokah managed to score decent advances of around 1 crore for the opening day, and seeing the early reception, the superhero film is in for a blockbuster ride at the box office. The movie is already seeing a surge in advance sales for the evening and night shows, putting itslef on course to take a very good opening domestically. For Kalyani Priyadarshan, Lokah could be a career-defining moment. While she has impressed in various roles across Malayalam and Tamil cinema, stepping into the shoes of a superhero puts her in a rare league, especially as one of the few female leads spearheading a superhero saga in Indian cinema. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 28 - It has been a tough theatrical journey for Yash Raj Films' highly anticipated War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan, Jr. NTR, and Kiara Advani. The spy action thriller was expected to rewrite box office history, but things didn't go as planned, and as a result, it has bombed with an underwhelming collection. Released ahead of the big Independence Day holiday, the Ayan Mukerji's directorial took an underwhelming opening in India and overseas, and despite the big growth on day 2, it couldn't fly due to poor reviews and mixed word of mouth. It is now heading towards finishing below 400 crores worldwide as the second-lowest film in the YRF's Spy Universe. Amid the gloomy box office run, War 2 (350 crores) will manage to beat Hrithik Roshan's Fighter (359 crores), directed by Siddharth Anand, in a day or two, and will finish as either the second or third biggest grosser of the Bollywood star. Meanwhile, in terms of the number of tickets sold, War 2 has already beaten Fighter. During its theatrical run, Fighter had sold 3.68 million tickets on the online ticketing platform Book My Show, and now, War 2 has crossed this figure in 13 days. In terms of overall tickets, Fighter had sold around 1.16 crores tickets, while War 2 has so far sold 1.12 crores and will cross Fighter's number in a day or two. However, these mini milestones don't have much importance as War 2 is way ahead of Fighter in terms of scale, budget and star power. In terms of the Hindi box office, the YRF's biggie will finish behind Fighter, which can be termed as shocking. The film's success could've done wonders for the Spy Universe, but now, it is heading towards the days of uncertainty, with future projects getting pushed indefinitely. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, August 28 - After the big blockbuster success of Hanu-Man, actor Teja Sajja's much-awaited pan-India sci-fi superhero film Mirai is gearing up for a massive release across multiple languages. Directed by Karthik Gattamneni, the film is scheduled for a September 12 debut. To ensure the film reaches a wide audience, the makers have partnered with some of the country's largest distribution companies across major languages. This shows that the team is confident in the content, for which they don't want to miss the opportunity to get a proper release nationwide. Hindi – Dharma Productions, one of Bollywood's leading production and distribution companies, will present the film in the North Indian belt. Tamil – AGS Cinemas, a well-established name in Tamil Nadu, will take charge of distribution in the Tamil market. Kannada – The collaboration of Hombale Films, the powerhouse behind KGF and Salaar, along with VK Films, will handle the release in Karnataka. Malayalam – Sree Gokulam Movies, known for distributing some of the biggest blockbusters in Kerala, has bagged the rights for the Malayalam version. The film is produced by People Media Factory, and with such strong names backing it in every major region, Mirai is set for a wide and powerful release, marking another milestone for Teja Sajja after the success of Hanu-Man. If the content matches the hype, the upcoming film could become another big blockbuster for the young actor. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 27 - The sequel to the much-awaited Gujarati horror hit Vash has kicked off its theatrical run on a good note at the domestic box office with one of the strongest starts for a Gujarati title. The original film was a big hit, so there was genuine excitement for Vash Level 2, which was released simultaneously in its original Gujarati version and a dubbed Hindi version. The Hindi remake of Vash - Shaitaan did make a very good ground for the sequel to go wide with a Hindi dubbed version, and the opening didn't disappoint. On its first day, the film grossed an estimated 1.50-1.75 crore across India. Out of this, the Hindi dubbed version contributed an estimated 50-60 lakh, which is an impressive start for a regional film entering the national market. This is probably the best start ever for a Gollywood title in the dubbed version. Directed by Krishnadev Yagnik, Vash Level 2 carries forward the eerie atmosphere and supernatural elements that made its predecessor a cult favourite. With positive word of mouth and a wider release strategy, trade experts believe the film has the potential to grow further over the weekend. If it maintains momentum, Vash Level 2 could emerge as one of the biggest Gujarati films to find pan-India visibility, continuing the trend of regional cinema breaking barriers through dubbed releases. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 27 - National Award-winning filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri is all set to release the third instalment and possibly the final film in his acclaimed Files trilogy with The Bengal Files, which releases on September 5. The movie has been making headlines in the media just like the previous films for its political commentary, which has been the hallmark of the franchise. This upcoming film portrays the tragic events surrounding Direct Action Day, also known as the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings on 16 August 1946. Ahead of the film's release, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has cleared the movie, and like The Kashmir Files, it has also got an A certificate. What makes the update even more significant is the film's approved runtime, which is 3 hours and 24 minutes (204 minutes). This not only makes The Bengal Files the longest film in Agnihotri's trilogy, surpassing The Kashmir Files (2 hours 50 minutes) and The Tashkent Files (2 hours 24 minutes), but also positions it among the longest mainstream Hindi films ever released. In recent times, it is easily the longest Bollywood film, beating Ranbir Kapoor's Animal (201 minutes). Given its certification and extended runtime of The Bengal Files, trade experts believe the film is being positioned as an epic-scale socio-political drama meant to leave a lasting impact. Agnihotri, known for his politically charged storytelling, has previously sparked nationwide discussions with his hard-hitting narratives. With The Bengal Files, the director is expected to dive into yet another controversial and emotionally intense chapter of Indian history. Produced by Abhishek Agarwal Arts and I Am Buddha Productions, the movie stars Darshan Kumar, Pallavi Joshi, Simrat Kaur, Mithun Chakraborty, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur in key roles. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, August 27 - Superstar Shah Rukh Khan was last seen in director Rajkumar Hirani's comedy drama, Dunki, in December 2023. Since then, he has been working on his next, which is an action thriller King, with his Pathaan director Siddharth Anand. King went on floors in June this year, but an unfortunate shoulder injury to Shah Rukh Khan, which he sustained while filming for an action sequence, has proved to be a roadblock. King Khan was advised to rest for a couple of months before he resumes filming, and that has reportedly altered the release plans. According to the report by Mid-day, King, which was reportedly eying the Gandhi Jayanti 2026 release, has now been pushed back due to a delay in the shoot. "Shah Rukh needs to rest it out for weeks before he can face the camera again. It is an action-heavy film, so the team doesn’t want to take a chance with his health", says the report. While the official release date has not been announced yet, a recent report by peepingmoon.com suggested that Shah Rukh Khan and director Anand are eyeing Christmas 2026 as the possible theatrical release date. The chances have become bright for this date after the postponement of Vicky Kaushal's ambitious Mahavatar. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and Marflix, King marks SRK's first screen outing with daughter Suhana Khan, who makes her big screen debut with this. The film also stars Deepika Padukone as the female lead alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, and Abhay Verma in key roles. Stay tuned...