BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 5 – National award-winning filmmaker Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri's much-talked-about reality-based political thriller film The Bengal Files, the final chapter in his popular Files Trilogy hits the big screen today, September 5, amid decent expectations. Based on a storyline focused on the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots, depicting the violence and its aftermath as a genocide, The Bengal Files sees a low, but better than expected response in the pre-sales. The film managed to outshine the opening day sales of Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files, which went on to become a huge box office blockbuster. According to the tracked gross, the latest chapter in the filmmaker's controvercial trilogy, has managed to register 1.22 crore in Day 1 bookings (including block seats), thereby surpassing the advance sales of The Kashmir Files, which had clocked 1.13 crore gross back in 2022. This marks an interesting turnaround for Agnihotri, as expectations have been cautious given the sensitive subject and competition at the box office. With controversy around its release adding to the buzz, The Bengal Files has managed to decent advance traction, positioning itself for a better than expected opening day. Released in March 2022, The Kashmir Files was a surprise blockbuster that stunned the industry by recording the opening of over 3.50 crores net (4+ crores gross), followed by phenomenal word-of-mouth, eventually grossing over 300 crore worldwide. It set a high bar for The Bengal Files. Industry trackers note that while The Bengal Files has shown stronger pre-sales than TKF, the ultimate test will lie in audience word-of-mouth once the film hits theatres. If it follows a trajectory even close to The Kashmir Files, the film could emerge as another major success story. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, September 5 - Maverick director SS Rajamouli recently shared an update that the first look glimpse of his most ambitious film, reportedly titled Gen63, with superstar Mahesh Babu will be unveiled in November this year. The update excited fans who had been waiting for a first look at the superstar in his biggest film yet. Ahead of the official release, Mahesh Babu's on-set pic has been leaked online, and this has set the internet on fire. The leaked image shows Babu in a rugged avatar, dressed in earthy-toned clothing as the star appears battle-worn, hinting at the film's adventurous theme. SSMB29 is currently being shot in Kenya, where 95% of the total African schedules of the movie will take place. The backdrop of vast grasslands in the leaked pic amid the presence of crew further reinforces reports that Rajamouli is crafting a globetrotting action-adventure saga. While neither the makers nor the actors have officially commented on the leaks, fans have already begun speculating about the storyline. Many are calling it Mahesh Babu's most daring role yet, with some even comparing the visual tone to Hollywood-style adventure dramas. Gen63, as has already been revealed, is an action-adventure film deeply rooted in the epic Ramayana, with science fiction elements. It is reportedly set in the ancient holy city of Kashi, which is revered for its historical and cultural significance. The movie will see Mahesh Babu reportedly donning multiple looks that reflect his character's evolution, while Priyanka Chopra, who plays the female lead, is said to be playing an intrepid explorer. Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the role of the antagonist in this globe-trotting film, which is gearing up for a 2027 global release. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 4 - The Indian box office is ready to throw another major surprise as the latest instalment - The Conjuring: Last Rites - in the long-running globally successful The Conjuring Universe is poised for a record-breaking debut for a horror film in the country. Directed by Michael Chaves, who has previously helmed three films in the franchise, The Conjuring: Last Rites has stormed into the Indian market with extraordinary pre-sales. The film has already sold around 350,000 tickets, including 225,000 tickets from national chains (PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis), in India for opening day. The pre-sales of The Last Rites are by far the best ever for a horror film in India, even much better than Indian titles. Among recent Hollywood films, the latest Conjuring film is having the best pre-sales, which has not only stunned the trade but also shows the growing interest among the Indian audience for horror titles. According to the reports, Warner Bros. Pictures has secured a wide release for the Last Rites in the country with over 2200 screens, and considering the pre-sales trend, it is heading to open, at least 15+ crores gross, with a high possibility of touching 20 crores gross in all versions. There will be a competition for the movie in almost every major part of the country, but despite that, it is expected to dominate the weekend, beating the domestic titles. This is another high for horror films in India, where the genre has steadily risen in audience interest over recent years. Based on the true-life investigations of the Smurl haunting, the Last Rites stars Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, who reprise their roles as paranormal investigators. It is the sequel to The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), the ninth and final instalment of The Conjuring Universe. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 4 – Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff's wait is about to end as he returns with the fourth instalment of the action-packed Baaghi franchise, which carries decent buzz ahead of release with its advance booking performance. The film is recording one of the best pre-sales for a Tiger Shroff starrer in the post-pandemic era, generating notable buzz among fans and action lovers. Directed by A Harha, Baaghi 4 pre-sales for the opening day are promising, which indicates an opening in the range of 12–13+ crores net. However, sections of the trade remain cautious, expressing scepticism over these pre-sales, particularly due to the past experience of block bookings that can inflate early numbers. Despite this, trade circles are hopeful that Baaghi 4 could secure a double-digit day 1 opening. If the spot booking response remains good, the movie is projected to land in the 9–11 crores net range on opening day, which would still mark one of Tiger Shroff's stronger starts in recent years. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the fourth instalment of the popular action franchise is being closely watched for its box office performance. The Baaghi series has historically opened well thanks to its high-octane action and mass appeal, and Baaghi 4 seems poised to continue the trend, provided it sustains momentum after day 1. With positive early booking trends and fan anticipation, all eyes are now on whether Tiger Shroff’s latest outing can convert its advance sales into solid footfalls and maintain strong collections beyond the opening day. It also stars Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, Harnaaz Sandhu, and Shreyash Talpade in prominent roles. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Chennai, September 4 - Superstar Rajinikanth’s much-awaited gangster action drama Coolie is set to make its digital debut earlier than anticipated following its underwhelming box office performance. Directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the film hit theatres on August 14, ahead of the Independence Day holiday. On Thursday (September 4), the makers officially confirmed the post-theatrical digital release. Coolie will begin streaming on Amazon Prime Video from September 11, just four weeks after its theatrical release, in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. The Hindi version remains uncertain, with reports suggesting that it will premiere digitally only after eight weeks, sometime in the second week of October, due to an existing pre-agreement with multiplex chains. Earlier speculations indicated that no version of Coolie would release digitally before eight weeks, but the latest announcement confirms otherwise. Produced by Sun Pictures, the film opened to massive hype, and a robust opening weekend gross of nearly 400 crore worldwide justified that same. However, collections dipped sharply in the following weeks, and the movie is now expected to finish below a disappointing 525 crore globally. Coolie marked the first collaboration between Rajinikanth and Lokesh, as it also stars Nagarjuna Akkineni, Soubin Shahir, Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj and Rachita Ram, with Aamir Khan and Pooja Hegde in special appearances. In the film, a former coolie union leader investigates the death of his friend, which leads him to a crime syndicate. Stay tuned...

BY SACNILK TEAM

Mumbai, September 4 - National award-winning filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri's reality-based political thriller The Bengal Files is gaining much-needed traction as the release is around the corner. Based on the events surrounding Direct Action Day on 16 August 1946, the movie is scheduled for a September 5 release. The film has had its premiere in multiple cities in India and North America, and early audience reaction praises it for its gut-wrenching story. The initial response is both intense and emotionally charged as people who have already watched can't stop raving about it. Produced by Abhishek Agarwal Arts and I Am Buddha Productions, the film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur in key roles. It is scheduled to hit the screens on September 5. “This film gives an intense feeling of patriotism. Every Indian should watch this film.” — Audience Verdict, Orlando, USA#TheBengalFilesReleasing worldwide on 05 September 2025 pic.twitter.com/L1pdaeNh9M— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 3, 2025 “We were taught wrong history — now it’s our turn to show our children the untold truth of Partition.”Audience Verdict – Chicago, USAThe Bengal FilesReleasing Worldwide on 05 September 2025. pic.twitter.com/vfFSIfvYzR— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) August 19, 2025 Meanwhile, the makers have alleged that theatre chains across West Bengal have refused to screen the film due to political pressure. Producer Pallavi Joshi has written an open letter to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, for urgent intervention. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 4 - Director Vivek Agnihotri's much-awaited reality-based political thriller The Bengal Files is facing trouble in getting released in West Bengal amid pressure from the ruling state party, alleges the national award-winning filmmaker. Scheduled to release on September 5, the film presents a storyline focused on the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings and the Noakhali riots, depicting the violence and its aftermath as a genocide, and claiming that these chapters of history were deliberately suppressed or ignored. Ever since the movie was announced, it has been under constant scrutiny for showing the dark truth of Indian history. Now, this scrutiny is leading to the unofficial ban on the film in Bengal, which forced the makers to write an open letter to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, for urgent intervention. Producer of #TheBengalFiles, Pallavi Joshi, writes an open letter to the President of India:URGENT APPEAL:Your Excellency, @rashtrapatibhvn,"As Producer of #TheBengalFiles, I am pained that multiplex chains in Bengal have refused the film’s release under political pressure… pic.twitter.com/ERTLvqxp3y— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) September 4, 2025 In the letter, producer Pallavi Joshi has alleged that theatre chains in West Bengal are refusing to screen the movie under political pressure. Joshi also alleged that she, along with her family, is threatened every day by the workers of the ruling party under Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee. It is worth noting that similar hurdles were also faced by Agnihotri's The Kashmir Files, which some of the states refused to release, but the film went on to become one of the biggest blockbusters of 2022. It needs to be seen how things unfold for The Bengal Files, which carries similarities with TKF. Produced by Abhishek Agarwal Arts and I Am Buddha Productions, the film stars Mithun Chakraborty, Pallavi Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Simrat Kaur, Anupam Kher, Saswata Chatterjee, Namashi Chakraborty, Rajesh Khera, Puneet Issar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Dibyendu Bhattacharya, Sourav Das, and Mohan Kapur in key roles. It is scheduled to hit the screens on September 5. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 4 - Bollywood action star Tiger Shroff is looking to make a strong comeback at the box office with his upcoming action thriller Baaghi 4 after a series of flops in the post-pandemic world. The early signs of the smashing comeback are looking promising, considering the pre-sales. Directed by A Harsha, Baaghi 4 is surprisingly having a better-than-expected response in the opening day pre-sales and has already raked in around 5 crores gross (without block seats) and when including blocked seats, the number shoots past 7.75 crores, with the final hour left before the release. As the trend indicated, the film has the best advance booking for a Tiger Shroff-starrer in recent times, even better than Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, which also had Akshay Kumar. Opening Day Advance Booking Comparison with Other Tiger Shroff Films - - Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024) – It had low bookings considering the star power at 4.81 crores (without block seats), over 7 crores (with block seats) for the first day. - Ganapath (2023) – Registered poor advance bookings, failing to cross even the 3 crore (with block seats) mark for the opening day. - Heropanti 2 (2022) – Also suffered from weak pre-sales, but ended up better than Ganapath with around 5 crores (with block seats) for day 1. With these numbers, Baaghi 4 is on track to surpass Tiger’s recent outings and could emerge as his best opener since the pandemic if spot bookings also trend strongly. The Baaghi franchise has been known for delivering high-octane action and has a strong brand recall among audiences, which is clearly reflected in its advance sales. If momentum continues, Tiger Shroff might finally score the much-needed box office comeback with Baaghi 4, after a string of underperforming releases. The movie, also starring Sanjay Dutt, Sonam Bajwa, Harnaaz Sandhu, and Shreyas Talpade, is scheduled to release on September 5. Stay tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Chennai, September 4 - A titan of Tamil cinema with a legacy spanning over three decades, Vijay has consistently delivered blockbuster films that not only shattered box office records but also created lasting cultural moments. His influence runs deep in the industry, making him a truly irreplaceable figure—a sentiment echoed even by Sivakarthikeyan, who stated, "No one can replace the legacy of Vijay." Meanwhile, Sivakarthikeyan, whose upcoming film Madharaasi is set to release on September 5, 2025, stands at the threshold of superstardom. With a string of successful and diverse films like Doctor, Don, Maaveeran, and Amaran, he has carved out a unique identity for himself among the new generation of Tamil actors. The buzz around a potential "passing of the baton" gained traction when Vijay, in GOAT, was seen handing a gun to Sivakarthikeyan in a scene that many interpreted symbolically—as if the future of Tamil cinema was being entrusted to him. However, Sivakarthikeyan was quick to clarify that he viewed the moment as a gesture of affection and support, not succession. He added, "I cannot replicate Vijay sir's journey; I have to create my own," and emphasised that, "There can only be one Thalapathy... nobody can replace them." Industry sentiment also seems to reflect this transitional phase. Director AR Murugadoss, who is helming Madharaasi, praised Sivakarthikeyan's openness to work with emerging directors—likening it to the early encouragement once given by stars like Vijay and Ajith. With Vijay gradually shifting focus towards politics, many analysts suggest that Tamil cinema may be entering a new era—one where content-driven narratives and new-age stars could take centre stage. Sivakarthikeyan's recent blockbuster Amaran (2024) stands as a testament to his growing mass appeal—it was one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of the year. The upcoming Pongal 2026 is already setting the stage for a high-stakes box office clash, with Sivakarthikeyan’s Parasakthi slated to go head-to-head against Vijay’s Jana Nayagan. The matchup is generating intense excitement, symbolic of the ongoing narrative in the industry. Fan discussions across social media and forums reflect a divided yet hopeful tone. Some argue that "Sivakarthikeyan has the potential among everyone else to be the next superstar," while others suggest that the era of actors alone pulling crowds is fading: "Hereafter, there will not be a massive pull to theatres just due to superstar image... content matters." These perspectives suggest that while Sivakarthikeyan has undeniable momentum, achieving the rare air of legacy-level superstardom will require continued evolution and impact. In conclusion, the narrative isn't about replacement but progression. Vijay remains an irreplaceable icon—his career defined by decades of discipline, devotion, and triumph. Sivakarthikeyan, rather than stepping into his shoes, is building his own bridge—connecting respect for the past with a clear, forward-looking vision. The excitement around him is real, and whether or not he becomes “the next Vijay,” he’s already proving to be a leading voice in shaping Tamil cinema’s future.

BY CHRISTA LINCY

AR Murugadoss, one of Tamil cinema’s most commercially successful directors, has delivered multiple blockbusters over the years, including Thuppakki (2012), Kaththi (2014), and Sarkar (2018)—all starring Vijay—and now returns with Madharaasi (2025), this time teaming up with Sivakarthikeyan. Each film showcases a unique combination of star power and technical finesse. ## Thuppakki, with music by Harris Jayaraj and cinematography by Santosh Sivan, was one of the first Tamil films to gross over ₹100 crore, eventually earning ₹130 crore worldwide. It featured slick action sequences and won 19 awards across various categories.## Here are some of its box office milestones:## 1.It was Vijay's first film to achieve a worldwide collection of over ₹100 crore. 2. The film set a new record for the highest opening day collection in Tamil Nadu, netting around ₹9.2 crores. 3. It was the highest-grossing film of 2012 in the Tamil film industry. ## Kaththi, starring Vijay in dual roles with music by Anirudh Ravichander, earned over ₹132 crore and bagged over 30 major awards despite controversies. Here are some of the key box office records achieved by Kaththi: ## 1. The film quickly surpassed the ₹100 crore mark worldwide, achieving it in just 12 days.  2. It set a new record for the biggest first-day collection in the South Indian film industry, collecting ₹23.8 crore on its opening day. 3. The movie was the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2014. 4. The film marked the third consecutive ₹100 crore film for director A.R. Murugadoss, following Thuppakki and Holiday. ## Sarkar, backed by AR Rahman’s music and bold political themes, became Murugadoss’s highest-grossing film with over ₹250 crore in worldwide collections. The movie, which marked the third collaboration of AR Murugadoss and Vijay, has grossed over Rs 30 crore in Tamil Nadu on day one, thereby setting a huge benchmark in the state where it released in almost 650 screens. This was the sixth 100-crore grosser for Vijay and fourth in a row after Theri, Bairavaa and Mersal. ## Sarkar Box Office Records (2018): 1. All-Time Tamil Nadu 1st Day Record. 2. 4th Biggest South India Opening Record. 3. Non-Rajini Day 1 Record. 4. Collected around Worldwide 107cr share in the first week. 5. 3rd million-dollar movie in the USA, after Theri and Mersal. 6. 1st 250cr grosser for Vijay. ## Now, Madharaasi, set to release on September 5, 2025, marks Murugadoss's first collaboration with Sivakarthikeyan and features a stellar crew including editor A. Sreekar Prasad, cinematographer Sudeep Elamon, and action director Kevin Kumar. Interestingly, the protagonist's role was originally pitched to Shah Rukh Khan nearly a decade ago, reflecting Murugadoss's long-standing pan-Indian vision. ## The film also reunites Vidyut Jammwal with Murugadoss after Thuppakki and includes a director cameo, following his tradition in earlier films. Behind-the-scenes footage has already teased Sivakarthikeyan’s intense action preparation, and the buzz around this project suggests it may represent the next evolution of Murugadoss’s cinematic legacy. ## While its box office performance is yet to be seen, Madharaasi is clearly positioned to be a high-stakes, technically ambitious venture that aims to bridge the blockbuster formula of his Vijay-led hits with a new-age, content-driven storytelling approach suited to today’s audiences. ## From redefining Tamil cinema’s box office standards with Thuppakki to scaling new commercial heights with Sarkar, A.R. Murugadoss has consistently blended mass appeal with cinematic craft. His films with Vijay not only delivered blockbuster earnings—each crossing the coveted ₹100 crore mark—but also set multiple records in opening-day collections, award wins, and overseas performance. With Madharaasi (2025), Murugadoss embarks on a fresh chapter alongside Sivakarthikeyan, bringing a new face to his signature high-octane storytelling. If history is any indicator, Madharaasi could very well be the next landmark in Tamil cinema’s evolving commercial narrative. ## Stay tuned... ##

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Sivakarthikeyan's evolution in Tamil cinema has been marked by increasingly ambitious projects, notably Ayalaan, Amaran, and the upcoming Madharaasi. Released in January 2024 after years of delay, Ayalaan was a sci-fi fantasy directed by R. Ravikumar and featured Sivakarthikeyan alongside Rakul Preet Singh with music by A.R. Rahman. ## The film's novelty lay in its alien-centric plot and extensive VFX work, which took over four years to complete. Despite pacing criticisms, it found favour with family audiences and collected an estimated ₹75 crore globally, with around ₹50 crore from Tamil Nadu. ## In contrast, Amaran, released in October 2024, was a patriotic war biopic based on Major Mukund Varadarajan, directed by Rajkumar Periyasamy and co-starring Sai Pallavi. Produced by Kamal Haasan's Raaj Kamal Films International, it became a major commercial and critical success, grossing ₹333.67 crore worldwide. ## It broke multiple records, becoming the second-highest-grossing Tamil film of 2024 and the eighth-highest of all time in the language, with a strong emotional core that resonated widely. Interestingly, despite fewer screens, Amaran outperformed bigger-budget films in footfalls, with audiences and critics praising its heartfelt storytelling and war sequences. ## Here is a list of his notable movies that grossed 100 cr:  ## Doctor (2021) - ₹ 100.5 Cr ## Don: (2022) - ₹ 114 Cr ## Amaran (2024) - ₹ 333.67 Cr ##Now, anticipation surrounds Madharaasi, a psychological action thriller slated for release in September 2025. Directed by A.R. Murugadoss and featuring music by Anirudh Ravichander, the film boasts a strong ensemble cast including Vidyut Jammwal, Biju Menon, and Vikranth. ## Backed by a big budget, it is expected to push Sivakarthikeyan further into mass action territory while offering depth through Murugadoss’s signature narrative style. In essence, while Ayalaan showcased Sivakarthikeyan’s genre experimentation, Amaran proved his mettle in serious cinema and box office dominance, and Madharaasi could be the defining next step in an already remarkable career. ## Stat tuned...

BY CHRISTA LINCY

Sivakarthikeyan's journey from a television anchor to one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated stars is a testament to his talent, resilience, and deep connection with audiences. Hailing from Singampunari, Tamil Nadu, and initially trained as an engineer with an MBA, he burst onto the scene by winning Kalakka Povathu Yaaru? in 2006 and later gained popularity as a television host on Star Vijay. ## Siva's big-screen debut came with a supporting role in 3 (2012), but it was Marina (2012) that introduced him as a lead. From there, he delivered a string of successful comedies like Ethir Neechal, Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, and Maan Karate, each building his fanbase. Maan Karate notably became his first ₹50 crore grosser, establishing his commercial pull. He continued his success with Rajini Murugan, Remo, and Velaikkaran, films that cemented his status as a dependable box office draw.## Titles like Namma Veettu Pillai (₹63 crore) and Maaveeran (₹78.4 crore) maintained his momentum, but Doctor (2021) was the game-changer—it became his first film to cross ₹100 crore globally. Don (2022) followed with ₹114 crore, solidifying his place among Tamil cinema’s elite. In 2024, he delivered his career’s biggest hit with Amaran, a patriotic war biopic that grossed over ₹212 crore in just 10 days and eventually surpassed ₹300 crore, placing him in the top echelons of Indian cinema. ## Box Office Performance of SK's FilmsMovie TitleYearBox Office(₹ crore)Marina 20125.47Manam Kothi Paravai20125Kedi Billa Killadi Ranga 201310.85Ethir Neechal 201323Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam 201330(First week in TamilNaduMaan Karate 201427Kaaki Sattai 201529Rajini Murugan 201657.45Remo 201675.85Velaikkaran 201786SeemaRaja 201863.85Mr.Local 201925Namma veetu Pillai 201963Hero 201949Doctor 2021100.5Don 2022114Maaveeran 202378.4Ayalaan 202476.5Amaran 2024333.67## Sivakarthikeyan is known for his clean, family-friendly entertainment. He has also explored singing, lyric writing, and production, debuting as a producer with Kanaa (2018). Without any film industry background, he has emerged as a self-made star, whose inspiring career arc—from mimicry and stand-up to headlining ₹300 crore blockbusters—continues to motivate aspiring talents across the industry. ## Stay tuned...