BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 30 - Bollywood star Ajay Devgn is set to return as Vijay Salgaonkar in the third installment of the blockbuster crime suspense thriller franchise, Drishyam. After scroing the big success with the first two parts, the franchise is set to be concluded with Drishyam 3. While the news about Drishyam 3 has already been reported in the media, the official announcement of the same is around the corner. According to the latest reports, a 1 minute and 17 seconds announcement promo of Drishyam 3 has been censored by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on September 29. The announcement of the movie is expected to be made in the next couple of days as the makers set to begin shooting on October 2nd. Abhishek Pathak will return to direct the third installment which will also feature the original cast of Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, and Rajat Kapoor alongwith Akshaye Khanna. Produced by Panorama Studios, Viacom18 Studios, and T-Series, Drishyam 3 has been scheduled to release on October 2, 2026, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti. It is not yet clear if it is the remake of Malayalam version of Mohanlal Drishaym 3, which recently started shooting, and will be released in March 19, 2026, on Eid. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 30 - Megastar Chiranjeevi has watched a special show of his brother Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG, and he couldn't stop raving about it. The film, directed by Sujeeth, was released on September 25 and has been running with packed houses at the box office. Chiranjeevi took to social media after watching the film with his whole family. The legendary actor said that he was proud watching Pawan Kalyan in the film, and felt that he made the film stand out with his swag and gave the fans the proper feast they've been waiting for. The veteran actor also praised director Sujeeth and music composer Thaman for their brilliant work in the movie. "Watched #TheyCallHimOG with my whole family and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. A brilliantly made underworld gangster film on par with Hollywood standards, while keeping the right emotions intact. From beginning to end, the director conceived the film in an extraordinary way, Congratulations to @sujeethsign. Felt so proud watching Kalyan Babu on screen. He made the film stand out with his swag and gave the fans the proper feast they’ve been waiting for. @MusicThaman poured his heart and soul into the music, @dop007 delivered excellent visuals, and the editing & artwork were super", he added. Watched #TheyCallHimOG with my whole family and thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. A brilliantly made underworld gangster film on par with Hollywood standards, while keeping the right emotions intact.From beginning to end, the director conceived the film in an extraordinary… pic.twitter.com/jTWIlon5c8— Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) September 30, 2025 Produced by DVV Entertainment, They Call Him OG stars Pawan Kalyan as the retired gangster OG, who returns to Bombay in 1993 after a ten-year disappearance to confront the rival crime-lord Omi Bhau, played by Emraan Hashmi. The supporting cast includes Priyanka Mohan, Arjun Das, Sriya Reddy and Prakash Raj. The movie has been running in theatres with a good collection. It grossed approximately 227 crores worldwide in the 4-day opening weekend, followed by a decent hold on Monday to push the total cume to around 235 crores in 5 days. It is already the highest-grossing film of Pawan Kalyan. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 30 - In October last year, filmmaker Prasanth Varma announced a female-led superhero movie Mahakali, in the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe, with an astonishing poster, showing a cosy moment between the girl and the tiger. Directed by a lady director, Puja Aparna Kolluru Mahakali, Mahakali is about Goddess Kali, an invincible warrior, the protector of the righteous, and the ultimate destroyer of evil. Ever since the announcement, fans have been asking for more updates regarding the film's cast, and the makers have finally dropped a big one. On Tuesday, September 30, the makers officially confirmed Bollywood actor Akshaye Khanna on board and also dropped the first look poster of his in the film. The first look introduces Akshaye as Shukracharya, the revered teacher and spiritual guide of the Asuras (demons) in the Hindu epic. The poster shows the actor in a fierce and intense avatar, with long grey hair tied in a top knot, a flowing beard, a sacred tilak on his forehead, and a glowing white eye that adds a supernatural aura to his presence. Set against a dark and fiery backdrop, the imagery perfectly captures the mystical world of the Asuras, with Khanna exuding authority and wisdom as their revered guru Produced by Riwaz Ramesh Duggal under the banner of RKD Studios, Mahakali is the maiden film of Akshaye in Telugu cinema. The actor's inclusion gives the film a significant advantage, apart from being part of PVCU. The film is currently in production and is expected to be wrapped by December this year. The release date is not locked yet. In the shadows of gods,rose the brightest flame of rebellion 🔥Presenting The Enigmatic #AkshayeKhanna as the eternal 'Asuraguru SHUKRACHARYA' from #Mahakali 🔱❤️‍🔥@PujaKolluru @RKDStudios #RKDuggal #RiwazRameshDuggal @ThePVCU pic.twitter.com/mclj39Q8z9— Prasanth Varma (@PrasanthVarma) September 30, 2025 Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Dhanush, born Venkatesh Prabhu Kasthuri Raja on July 28, 1983, in Theni, Tamil Nadu, is a multifaceted talent in Indian cinema—an actor, director, producer, singer, lyricist, and international presence. He made his acting debut in 2002 with Thulluvadho Ilamai, directed by his father Kasthuri Raja, and gained widespread recognition in 2003 with Kaadhal Kondein, directed by his brother Selvaraghavan, portraying a mentally disturbed youth with critical acclaim. He quickly followed this with commercially successful films like Thiruda Thirudi (2003) and Devathayai Kanden (2005), as well as action dramas like Sullan (2004) and Pudhukottaiyilirundhu Saravanan (2004), which helped him gain popularity with younger audiences. His collaborations with Selvaraghavan, including Pudhupettai (2006), cemented his reputation for taking on intense and unconventional roles. The turning point came with Polladhavan (2007), a gritty drama inspired by neo-realist cinema, followed by Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), which showcased his lighter, romantic side. With Aadukalam (2010), directed by Vetrimaaran, Dhanush delivered a career-defining performance as a rooster fighter, earning him the National Film Award for Best Actor. In 2011, he gained pan-Indian recognition when his song “Why This Kolaveri Di” from 3 became a global viral sensation. His career continued to diversify with films like Mayakkam Enna (2011), Maryan (2013), and his Bollywood debut Raanjhanaa (2013), where his portrayal of a passionate lover opposite Sonam Kapoor won critical and popular acclaim across India. Dhanush consolidated his mass appeal with commercial entertainers like Velaiilla Pattadhari (2014) and its sequel, as well as Maari (2015), in which his quirky don character became a fan favorite. He explored political drama in Kodi (2016), before delivering some of his most acclaimed performances in Vada Chennai (2018), a raw gangster epic, and Asuran (2019), a searing caste-based drama that earned him his second National Film Award for Best Actor. His versatility continued with family entertainer Thiruchitrambalam (2022) and the bilingual period drama Vaathi (2023), further proving his ability to balance content-driven cinema with box office success. On the international front, Dhanush starred in the French-English production The Extraordinary Journey of the Fakir (2018) and appeared in the Russo Brothers’ Hollywood action thriller The Gray Man (2022), sharing screen space with Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, marking his entry into mainstream global cinema. Alongside acting, Dhanush has excelled as a director and producer under his Wunderbar Films banner. His directorial debut Pa Paandi (2017) was a heartwarming tale about rediscovering love and life. His 50th film, Raayan (2024), an action thriller written and directed by him with music by A. R. Rahman, marked a milestone in his career. Now, with his 52nd film Idli Kadai, Dhanush once again takes the director’s chair for a heartfelt rural family drama. The film tells the story of a man returning to his roots to run his father’s idli shop, only to face conflicts with a wealthy hotelier. With an ensemble cast featuring Nithya Menen, Arun Vijay, Shalini Pandey, Sathyaraj, R. Parthiban, P. Samuthirakani, and Rajkiran, Idli Kadai has generated significant buzz, with advance bookings indicating strong anticipation. In conclusion, Dhanush’s journey from a debutant in Thulluvadho Ilamai to an internationally recognized actor demonstrates a rare combination of versatility, risk-taking, and consistent audience appeal. Balancing critically acclaimed performances, commercial blockbusters, pan-Indian ventures, and Hollywood projects, he has continually expanded the boundaries of his craft. Milestones like Aadukalam, Raanjhanaa, Asuran, his 50th film Raayan, and now the eagerly anticipated Idli Kadai reflect not only his ability to reinvent himself but also his commitment to storytelling that resonates across cultures and generations. With his evolving repertoire as an actor, director, and producer, Dhanush has firmly established himself as one of the most influential and enduring figures in contemporary Indian cinema, and Idli Kadai promises to add yet another remarkable chapter to his illustrious career. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 29 - Pan India superstar Prabhas-fronted The Raja Saab trailer was launched on September 29, and the response has been superb. The romantic horror comedy, directed by Maruthi, is one of the most anticipated films of 2026, after getting postponed multiple times. Produced by People Media Factory, The Raja Saab was recently pushed back to January 9, 2026, from December 5, 2025, release. By doing that, the makers confirmed the clash with Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan, which is also scheduled to release on January 9. However, the makers have made another twist in the release date, as they seem to be in no mood to clash directly with the Tamil superstar. While the movie is sticking to January 9 in Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada versions, the makers have pushed the release date back by a day in the Tamil version. In Tamil, The Raja Saab will hit the big screens on January 9, avoiding the direct clash with Jana Nayagan. While it may still not make much difference, it seems the makers want to give the best chance to the film to find the Tamil audience by not taking on the Tamil blockbuster head-on. The Raja Saab is the first of its kind film for Prabhas, who seems to be playing a dual role in the movie alongside Sanjay Dutt, Nidhhi Agerwal, Malavika Mohanan (in her Telugu film debut), Riddhi Kumar, Boman Irani, and Zarina Wahab. The plot revolves around a young man who sets his eyes on his ancestral property to ease him out of a cash crunch. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Dhanush’s career trajectory over the last two years has been marked by films of contrasting genres and market strategies, each carrying its own level of buzz, box office performance, and cultural impact. His upcoming directorial, Idli Kadai, set to release on October 1, 2025, has already begun to draw considerable attention with its family-oriented theme, emotional trailer, and the director-actor’s focus on his Madurai roots. The film is being promoted as a heartwarming drama, distinct from his recent action-heavy ventures.Advance booking for Idli Kadai has opened on a strong note, with the film grossed around ₹79.59 lakh in pre-sales for its Tamil 2D version on day one. This figure comes from over 2,000 shows nationwide, with more than 52,000 tickets sold ahead of release. Within Tamil Nadu alone, the advance bookings accounted for approximately ₹76.08 lakh, underscoring the film’s strong pull in Dhanush’s home market. While these numbers are still early and may fluctuate as final block-seat adjustments are made, they clearly highlight the positive momentum and anticipation surrounding the film before its theatrical debut. ##By comparison, Kuberaa, which released in June 2025 under the direction of Sekhar Kammula, took a different route. Designed as a pan-South crime drama with a star-studded cast including Nagarjuna and Rashmika Mandanna alongside Dhanush, it was one of the most ambitious productions of the year. At the box office, however, the film experienced contrasting fortunes across regions: it was a commercial success in the Telugu market, contributing the lion’s share of its lifetime gross, the movie collected ₹135.75 crore worldwide, but it underperformed in Tamil Nadu, where it failed to fully capitalize on Dhanush’s stardom. While the film was praised for its scale and performances, mixed reviews and uneven word-of-mouth limited its overall impact. Nonetheless, the project demonstrated Dhanush’s growing pan-Indian presence and ability to headline multi-lingual ventures, even if the results were not consistent across all markets. ##Looking further back, Raayan, released in July 2024, remains a defining success in Dhanush’s filmography. Marketed as his landmark 50th film and directed by Dhanush himself, it blended gritty action with an A. R. Rahman soundtrack, creating enormous pre-release excitement. Despite critical debates over its violent content and the adult certification it received, Raayan went on to become one of the biggest Tamil blockbusters of the year, with final grosses estimated at ₹154 crore worldwide. The mass-appeal action sequences made it a hit with younger audiences and in dubbed markets beyond Tamil Nadu. The film reinforced Dhanush’s credentials not only as a versatile actor but also as a director capable of delivering large-scale, commercially viable projects. ## Raayan and Kuberaa State Wise Box Office Comparison (India Gross)MovieKarnataka CollectionAPTG CollectionTamil Nadu CollectionKerala CollectionRaayan (2024)₹ 10.84 Cr₹ 15.22 Cr₹ 74.07 Cr₹ 5.22 CrKuberaa (2025)₹ 12.22 Cr₹ 66.79 Cr₹ 20.44 Cr₹ 1.47 Cr## ##Taken together, these three films highlight Dhanush’s ability to balance very different cinematic spaces—Raayan capitalized on mass action entertainment, Kuberaa tested the waters of multi-lingual ensemble dramas, and Idli Kadai is leaning on emotional resonance and family appeal. The box office trajectory shows that while Raayan set a high benchmark with its career-best numbers, Kuberaa settled into a respectable but more regionally skewed performance, and Idli Kadai is now poised to test how far Dhanush’s star power can drive a rooted, content-led film in a festive season. With its pre-release momentum and unique positioning, Idli Kadai could potentially carve its own niche and continue Dhanush’s streak of keeping audiences engaged across genres and markets.

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Bengaluru, September 29 - Actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty's Kantara: Chapter 1 has generated massive excitement in Karnataka, where advance bookings are surging with several shows already sold out. However, things in the Hindi market look gloomy, unlike the social media notion. Despite the cult status of the original Kantara — which stunned the trade by becoming a sleeper blockbuster across India — the prequel is not replicating that momentum in the Hindi belt. Trade expectations were high that Kantara: Chapter 1 would score big advances and even challenge the dominance of other South Indian blockbusters with big starts in the Hindi market. It is not that South Indian films solely depend on Hindi markets to get success status, but over the last decade, many South Indian films performed exceptionally in the Hindi belt, which eventually became the highlight of their box office status. Early chatter suggested Kantara 2 would score big advances on par with other Pan-India blockbusters in Hindi, aided by the goodwill of the first instalment. Yet, so far, the response is muted. As per the current status, the Hindi version of the period action drama has managed to sell tickets worth around 50 lakh for the opening day. While this is a decent start for a dubbed Kannada film, it falls significantly short of the lofty expectations set before advance bookings opened. This eventually shows that the hype, which seemed very good on social media, is not on the ground among the general audience. With just a few days left for release, the film's Hindi prospects hinge on a late surge in bookings. If the momentum doesn't pick up, Kantara: Chapter 1 may struggle to breach the double-digit opening mark in the Hindi market. Much will depend on word of mouth, last-minute ticketing rush, and how effectively the makers push promotions in North Indian circuits before release. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, September 29 – Superstar Rajinikanth's mass entertainer Coolie has wrapped up its theatrical run at the global box office with mixed results. Despite a record opening and strong initial buzz, the film couldn't sustain the same momentum in the following weeks, leading to an average overall performance. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, Coolie opened to earth earth-shattering start of over 150 crores worldwide, before opening weekend collection of around 385 crores, both record numbers for Tamil cinema. However, poor critics' reviews and mixed word of mouth proved to be a roadblock in its promising theatrical run, which ended before its desired result. The gangster action drama was eyed as the potential 1000 crores grosser, but it could only manage a little over 500 crores worldwide. The final collection, however, is not a small total by any means, but the movie needed to score much more to be termed as a box office hit. The trade estimated that Coolie needed to score around 600 crores worldwide to break even. Here Is The Final Worldwide Box Office Breakdown of Coolie (Est.) India Net Box Office Collection₹ 285.00 Cr India Gross Box Office Collection₹ 338.00 Cr Overseas Box Office Collection₹ 180.50 Cr Worldwide Box Office Collection₹ 518.50 Cr India Footfalls/Admits1.80 Cr approx. In terms of audience reach, Coolie recorded approximately 1.80 crore (estimated) footfalls in India, a decent turnout but considerably lower compared to Rajinikanth’s biggest blockbuster, Jailer. The film opened huge, even scoring one of the biggest debuts of the year, but it lost the plot in the coming weeks, which curtailed its long-run potential. Given the huge pre-release business and expectations riding on it, the film's outcome has been tagged as a below-average to average verdict at the box office. While not a disaster, Coolie couldn't replicate the superstar's past blockbuster highs and will be remembered as a film that started big but settled for a modest finish in the end. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 29 - It has been an unforgettable year for Ahaan Pandey, who made his debut under Yash Raj Films with director Mohit Suri's romantic drama Saiyaara, which has now been etched in history as the biggest Indian blockbuster featuring debutants. Ahaan shared the screen with Aneet Padda, who also made her big-screen debut with this film. Ever since the unexpected success of Saiyaara, both Ahaan Pandey and Aneet Padda have been favourites among the youths, who have been asking what is next for them. While Aneet has been locked to headline Maddock Films' much-awaited horror-comedy Shakti Shalini, Ahaan's search for his next also seems to have ended. According to the report by Pinkvilla, the breakout star of the year has been locked on to lead director Ali Abbas Zafar's next, which is said to be a romantic actioner. The report states that the director behind blockbuster films Sultan and Tiger Zinda Hai has been developing an action romance with Aditya Chopra as his next directorial. The maverick filmmaker "wanted to go back to his roots, to the genre that has given him so much love with his next film. He was blown away seeing Ahaan Panday and his aura with emotional and dramatic scenes in Saiyaara", says the report, adding that it was Aditya Chopra who suggested to Ali that he should go with Ahaan as a film with a young star would add to the surprise factor for audience. It is said that the script of the film has already been locked, and Ali, with YRF, has also started music sessions. The film is expected to start rolling in early next year for a 2026 end or early 202y release. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 29 – Power star Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG has had a big first weekend at the worldwide box office. The film, directed by Sujeeth, has grossed an impressive 228 crore in just four days, consolidating its position as one of the biggest openers of 2025. After the huge opening day, the film maintained a decent hold over the weekend, with a natural dip in collections across both domestic and overseas markets. It has already become the highest-grossing film and the first 200 crores grosser of Pawan Kalyan's career in its opening stretch, underlining his enduring star power and massive fan following. As per the trade estimates, They Call Him OG needs to collect around 300 crore worldwide to break even and be termed a box office hit. With the momentum from the extended opening weekend, the target looks well within reach, provided the film maintains steady collections during the weekdays. The coming days will be critical in determining its long-term success. If They Call Him OG continues to perform strongly across regions, it could not only achieve break-even comfortably but also emerge as one of the standout commercial successes of the year. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Kochi, September 27 - Kalyani Priyadarshan's superhero film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra can't stop breaking records at the box office as it continues its strong run. After becoming the highest-grossing Malayalam movie at the worldwide box office, it has now become the biggest Mollywood grosser domestically. The Dominic Arun's directorial has beaten Manjummel Boys, which grossed approximately 167.50 crores, in 31 days to become the biggest Malayalam grosser at the Indian box office. The film's total domestic gross now stands at around a record 169 crores. The film has been running to packed houses across Kerala, with extraordinary word-of-mouth propelling its collections week after week. It is just 9 crores away from dethroning Mohanlal's Thudarum (119 crores) to become the biggest grosser in the state. Lokah's mesmerising visuals, world-building, cinematography, production, soundtrack, and Kalyani Priyadarshan's solid performance have made it resonate with audiences far beyond the state’s borders. With this record-breaking performance, Lokah not only cements its place as a box office phenomenon but also highlights the growing reach and appeal of Malayalam cinema in India. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 28 – Power star Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG continues its solid run at the global box office. The Sujeeth directorial has now crossed the coveted 200 crore milestone worldwide, marking the first-ever film in Pawan Kalyan's career to achieve this feat. Released with massive hype, the film opened to historic numbers and registered one of the biggest debuts ever for an Indian film. Despite a noticeable dip after the record-breaking start, They Call Him OG managed to hold steady on Saturday, thanks to the superstar's unparalleled fan base and solid performance in the Telugu states. The worldwide collection of the film stands at approximately 200 crores in 3 days. The film's action-heavy narrative and stylish presentation have clicked with the audience, while Pawan Kalyan’s commanding screen presence has been the driving force behind its box office run so far. Its performance in overseas markets has also contributed significantly to the overall tally, with the 3-day overseas cum stands at around 55 crores. With They Call Him OG crossing 200 crores, Pawan Kalyan has now joined the elite club of South Indian superstars to score the milestone without much support from the Hindi market. The milestone also strengthens Sujeeth's position as a director capable of delivering big-ticket spectacles. The coming weekdays will be crucial in determining how high this film can eventually go, but for now, Pawan Kalyan has scored a career-defining box office triumph. Stay tuned...