BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Actor and director Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 is one of the most awaited films of the year, riding high on the blockbuster success of 2022's Kantara that became a cultural and commercial phenomenon across the country. The prequel promises to expand the mystical folklore universe on a much grander scale, with intense visuals and rooted storytelling that connects deeply with Indian traditions. Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, and with a festive Dussehra release amid massive curiosity around how the world of Kantara began, the stage is set for a solid theatrical debut at the Indian box office, and all eyes will be on how the Hindi version of the movie fares, especially after the original movie turned into an unexpected big succees. After a slow start, the film's advance booking in the Hindi market has gained some momentum with less than a day to go for the release. So far, it has grossed approximately 2.50 crores for the opening day and is expected to close above 4 crores in pre-sales. This puts the film ahead of other recent titles such as Sky Force (3.78 crores), Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crores), and Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crores) in advance sales. With this trajectory, a double-digit opening in Hindi, which once seemed tough, is now comfortably within reach. Current trends indicate an opening day in the range of 14–15 crores net, with spot bookings and walk-ins on the Dussehra holiday expected to provide a significant boost, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres where the film holds an upper hand in single screens. If word of mouth is positive, these figures will likely go further. Censored with a U/A certificate and carrying a runtime of 169 minutes, the film will be released in the Hindi belt by AA Films, which has ensured a wide release across multiplexes and mass circuits alike. Despite a clash with Dharma Productions’ family entertainer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Kantara Chapter 1 has managed to carve out a strong showcasing, thanks to its brand value and the aggressive planning by the distributor. All eyes are now on the audience reception. If the film garners positive word of mouth, Kantara Chapter 1 could turn its promising advance into a blockbuster start in the Hindi market, reaffirming the pan-India appeal of Rishab Shetty's vision. Worldwide, the film is expected to take the opening of 50+ crores. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor's romantic comedy drama Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is gearing up for release this Dussehra, amid some expectations. Directed by Shashank Khaitan, the film has managed to catch the attention with songs and trailer, which is aimed at the family audience. It has been certified U/A by the CBFC and carries a runtime of 2 hours 15 minutes. Varun Dhawan and Shashank Khaitan are a proven combo, having delivered box office hits like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania and Badrinath Ki Dulhania, and the expectations are no different this time either. However, unlike in the past, there are challenges for the film this time. While the trade is expecting this combo to hit the bull's eye, the ground buzz doesn't seem to be that strong. The advance booking of the film was opened a couple of days ago, but it hasn't found momentum with less than a day to go for the release. The pre-sales are proceeding at a slow pace, with the big momentum missing that usually accompanies a festive release. So far, the movie has accumulated approximately 1.40 crore in pre-sales and is heading for a finish around 2.50–3 crore gross for the opening day. This figure places the film below the advance sale of recent Bollywood releases like Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crore gross) and Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crore gross), both of which managed to open in double digits on Day 1. Given the current trend, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari might struggle to reach that mark and is instead looking at an opening in the 8–10 crore net range domestically. The film does, however, benefit from the Dussehra holiday, which could give a crucial boost to its spot bookings, especially in urban multiplexes. The challenge lies in single screens, where Kantara: Chapter 1 is enjoying stronger buzz and demand, making the competition tougher for Varun and Janhvi’s outing. Directed by Shashank Khaitan and backed by Dharma Productions, the film also stars Sanya Malhotra and Rohit Saraf in supporting roles. With positive word of mouth and the holiday advantage, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari still has a chance to build momentum post its release, but its opening day numbers are likely to stay modest compared to recent big festive Bollywood launches. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Hyderabad, October 1 - Power star Pawan Kalyan's gangster action drama They Call Him OG continues its decent run at the worldwide box office after the good opening weekend. Having already become the biggest and first 200 crores gross of the Telugu superstar, Sujeeth's directorial has now shattered a record for Telugu cinema this year. On its first Wednesday (7th day), They Call Him OG officially surpassed the collections of Venkatesh Daggubati's Sankranthiki Vasthunam (255.20 crores), making it the highest-grossing Telugu film of the year at the worldwide box office. The achievement further strengthens Pawan Kalyan's dominance at the box office with this film, which has easily been his most hyped in recent times. They Call Him OG opened to record-breaking numbers and sustained decently since that, drawing audiences across both domestic and overseas markets. The film's strong storyline, coupled with Pawan Kalyan’s charismatic performance and Sujeeth’s stylish direction, has helped it maintain momentum on a decent level. This consistency has now placed it at the very top of the Telugu box office for 2025, a spot previously held by the Sankranthi blockbuster Sankranthiki Vasthunam. They Call Him OG has not only redefined expectations for Telugu cinema this year but also added another feather to Pawan Kalyan’s illustrious career. It is quite stunning that despite carrying massive star power, Pawan Kalyan had never touched the 200 crores mark before. They Call Him OG has not only breached that milestone, but is also likely to end the year as the biggest Telugu grosser of the year, unless new films surprise. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, October 1 - Over the years, Emraan Hashmi's character Shivam Pandit in 2007's Awarapan has become a cult name, and his fans have been demanding a sequel to it. The wish was granted when the makers confirmed Awarapan 2 recently, with Nitin Kakkar replacing Mohit Suri to direct it. Ever since the movie was announced, fans have wanted to know what the story could be. Earlier, there were rumours that Awarapan 2 would be a new story, different from the first part. But, according to the latest report in Mid-Day, the movie will be the continuation of the original film. "The last moments of Awarapan showed a dream sequence of Shivam reuniting with his love, played by Shriya Saran. The second instalment begins from this point — Shivam comes back to life and meets Disha Patani's character, who helps him in his next mission", says the report. Disha is playing the female lead this time. Produced by Vishesh Bhatt, the shoot of Awarapan 2 commenced recently. It is said that Emraan Hashmi and Disha Patani, led by director Nitin Kakkar, have a 40-day schedule lined up in Bangkok, Thailand, after which they will shoot extensively in Mumbai to wrap up the sequel by the year-end. "Throughout this week, the team will film a high-octane action scene in a local market. All the action set-pieces and songs will be completed in this leg. The producer has roped in robust security as they will film in real locations, and he doesn't want pictures to make their way online", Mid-Day added. The details about the rest of the cast are not known yet. The film is scheduled to release on April 3, 2026. Stay tuned...

BY SUNIT JANGIR

Mumbai, September 30 - Earlier this year, it was revealed that Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh was discussing a zombie film with director Jai Mehta. The discussion was at the advantage stage with the intent to take the movie on the floors in 2026. According to the report by Pinkvilla, the movie has been confirmed, and Ranveer Singh and Jai Mehta have tentatively locked a title for this zombie-based post-apocalyptic film. The film has reportedly been titled Pralay. The title is said to be in sync with the world of the film, which is hit by an unexpected disaster, both natural and man-made. Pralay is touted to be a survival story unlike anything seen before. The film is more of a human story based on how far a man can go to save his family in the most difficult circumstances. It will be produced by Applause Entertainment, and the makers are aiming to take it on floors by the second half of 2026. Ranveer is currently gearing up for director Aditya Dhar's Dhurandhar, which is scheduled to hit the big screens on December 5. He will next start Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 in January 2026, and after wrapping it up, he will commence the filming of Pralay. "Pralay is a film that requires prolonged pre-production, as the makers will be aiming to create a completely new world. The tone of the film is on the lines of World War Z and I Am A Legend, where the leading man has to fight multiple evils for the sake of his family", says the report. Stay tuned...

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...