Vishnu Vishal-starrer ‘FIR’ to release on February 11?

Director Manu Anand’s eagerly awaited action thriller “FIR”, featuring actor Vishnu Vishal in the lead, is likely to hit screens on February 11 this year.

Sources close to the unit confirmed to IANS that the makers of the film were looking at releasing the film on February 11.

The film has triggered immense interest ever since its trailer was first released in January 2020.

Vishnu Vishal plays Abu Bakker Abdulla, a Muslim youth, in the film, which has director Gautham Vasudev Menon playing a cop.

The film also features Manjima Mohan, Raiza Wilson, Reba Monica John, Gaurav Narayanan, and Prashanth Rangaswamy among others.

Produced by Vishnu Vishal’s own production house, VV Studioz, the film has visuals by cinematographer Arul Vincent and music by Ashwath.

Although the film was ready for release a long time ago, the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns had forced the team to hold it back. With the situation improving, the unit is now looking to release its film.

‘Rangbaaz’: Aakanksha Singh to play don-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin’s wife

Actress Aakansha Singh will be seen portraying the character of Hena Shahab, the wife of convicted gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin in the upcoming web series ‘Rangbaaz’.

According to a source close to the development, the actress is currently shooting in Lucknow for the same and the role is something very different from anything that Aakanksha has ever had before.

“The story and her character is inspired by Hena Shahab, the wife of gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, and the actress is leaving no stone unturned to nail her part,” the source informs.

“She is doing extensive research at her end by reading everything there is about Hena and is also watching her interviews and seeing videos available on her. Aakanksha still has a few days of shoot left in Lucknow but she is really thrilled about this revolutionary part,” the source further added.

Aakansha will next be seen in Ajay Devgn-starrer ‘Runway 34’, which also features Amitabh Bachchan and Rakul Preet Singh.

Jr NTR, Koratala Siva team up for their 2nd film together

“RRR” actor Jr NTR’s upcoming movie under Koratala Shiva’s direction will be grandly launched at a pooja event on February 7. Jr NTR and Koratala Siva are collaborating for the second time after their superhit movie together, “Janatha Garage”.

Jr NTR has wrapped up his formalities for “RRR”, so he is to kick-start the shoot for his upcoming venture, which is reportedly a commercial drama. Tentatively titled “NTR30”, the movie will get on the floors later in the month, after the formal launch event.

Koratala Siva, who is regarded as one of the most successful commercial movie directors in the Telugu movie industry, is said to have scripted a story that is expected to appeal to a pan-India audience.

Touted to be mounted on a lavish scale, “NTR30” will have a popular Bollywood actress as the female lead opposite Jr NTR.

NTR will also be shooting for “NTR31” directed by Trivikram Srinivas of “Ala Vaikuntapuramuloo” fame. It is also being reported that “KGF” director Prashanth Neel will also be helming a movie to feature Jr NTR in the lead role.

Talkie portions of Venkatesh, Varun Tej-starrer ‘F3’ wrapped up

The talkie portions of director Anil Ravipudi’s most awaited fun-filled entertainer ‘F3’, featuring actors Victory Venkatesh and Varun Tej in the lead, have been wrapped up.

Sources close to the unit of the film, being produced on a grand scale by Tollywood’s leading production house Sri Venkateswara Creations, said that the unit only has a song to shoot.

Post-production work is also underway for the film, which is being presented by Dil Raju and produced by Shirish. The makers believe that ‘F3’, which is set to hit screens on April 28 this year, will be a bigger hit as the buzz about the film in trade circles has been positive.

While Tamannaah Bhatia and Mehreen Pirzada play the heroines opposite Venkatesh and Varun Tej respectively, Nata Kireeti Rajendra Prasad will be seen in a hilarious role. Sonal Chauhan has been roped in as the third actress to add more glamour and Sunil has been assigned an entertaining role.

According to sources, ‘F3’ will be a combination of entertainment, glamour, and other commercial elements. Rockstar Devi Sri Prasad who provided a chartbuster album for ‘F2’ is well on his way to delivering a superhit album for ‘F3’. Sai Sriram has cranked the camera for this film which has Tammiraju as its editor.

Vishal-starrer ‘Veerame Vaagai Soodum’ to release on Feb 4

Director Thu Pa Saravanan’s action entertainer ‘Veerame Vaagai Soodum’ featuring actors Vishal and Dimple Hayathi in the lead, will now release on February 4, its makers announced on Saturday.

The eagerly awaited film, which was to hit screens for Republic Day, was postponed without any reasons being assigned or any alternative dates being announced. With the Tamil Nadu government announcing that there would be no total lockdown on Sundays, the team has announced that the film will hit screens on February 4.

Malik Streams Corporation, which is releasing the film worldwide, made the announcement on its Twitter handle. The firm tweeted: “Rise of a common man at cinemas from February 4th, 2022. Don’t miss the action thriller ‘Veeramae Vaagai Soodum’ on big screens near you.”

Vishal plays a policeman who thinks out of the box in this thriller and promises to present a feast to action lovers. Apart from Vishal and Dimple Hayashi, the film also features Yogi Babu, Marimuthu, Thulasi, Kavitha Bharathi, R.N.R. Manohar, Mariam George, and Maha Gandhi in important roles.

Director Ramesh Verma: ‘Khiladi’ rights have been sold out like hot cakes

Claiming that the rights of his Telugu action entertainer ‘Khiladi’, featuring actors Ravi Teja, Dimple Hayathi, and Meenakshi Chaudhary in the lead, had all been sold out, director Ramesh Verma Penmetsa has said that the film would release on February 11.

Taking to Twitter, Ramesh said: “‘Khiladi’ rights have been sold out like a hot cake. Happy about the positive vibes the film has generated. ‘Khiladi’ will reach the audience on February 11, 2022.”

The film has triggered huge expectations which is evident from the resounding welcome a single released from the film recently got. Titled ‘Full Kick’, the number sung by Sagar and Mamta Sharma, was released on Republic Day. The video has so garnered a whopping 4.4 million views in a matter of just three days.

The makers of the film have also announced that they would be releasing the character poster of one lead artiste of ‘Khiladi’ every day, starting from Saturday.

Ramesh tweeted: “The Character – Lead posters of another lead cast of #Khiladi will arrive one every day starting from today! Stay tuned.”

Sharwanand, Rashmika-starrer ‘Aadavaallu Meeku Johaarlu’ to release on Feb 25

Director Tirumala Kishore’s upcoming Telugu film, ‘Aadavaallu Meeku Johaarlu’, featuring actors Sharwanand and Rashmika Mandanna in the lead, will hit screens on February 25.

Sources close to the unit of the film say that the shooting of the wholesome family entertainer, being produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri’s Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Cinemas, has been wrapped up and that only a song remains to be shot.

The filming of this song will begin soon, sources said adding that the film will be women-centric.

‘Aadavaallu Meeku Johaarlu’ marks Sharwanand’s first collaboration with Rashmika Mandanna and Tirumala Kishore.

Apart from Rashmika and Sharwanand, who plays a guy next door kind of role in the film, the film will also feature Khushbu, Radhika Sarathkumar, and Urvashi in important roles in the film.

Devi Sri Prasad is scoring the music for the film, which will have visuals by cinematographer Sujith Sarang. National award-winning editor Sreekar Prasad is in charge of editing.

Masaba Gupta extends social media presence with YouTube channel

Couturier and actress Masaba Gupta, who was last seen on the web show ‘Masaba Masaba’, has launched her own YouTube channel where she says she will share insightful and informative videos.

The channel aims to deliver knowledge on matters relating to fashion, fitness, beauty, travel, and wellness.

Speaking on the occasion of the YouTube channel’s launch, Masaba said: “I want to use social media channels as a tool to inspire subscribers with holistic, insightful, and informative videos.”

Her channel will see the star designer curating short- and long-format videos for her YouTube subscribers. In addition, she will also explore the YouTube shorts sections for quick consumption.

“I have always been passionate about fashion, fitness, beauty, travel, and wellness and I’m happy that I can enhance lives with my passion,” Masaba concluded.

‘Bigg Boss 15’: Finalists get emotional after watching recap of their journey

‘Bigg Boss 15’ finalists Karan Kundrra, Prateik Sahajpal, Tejasswi Prakash, Shamita Shetty, Rashami Desai, and Nishant Bhatt will be seen getting overwhelmed as they watch their entire journey in the controversial reality show.

Every contender is shown a video montage of their own highlights from this season, which has captured all their highs and lows in this house.

Tears start rolling down their cheeks as they watch their journey unfold in front of their eyes.

Tejasswi, who is all teared up, says “I am going to miss this so much. Thank you ‘Bigg Boss’.”

But their tears soon go away as the house gives them some super-fun activities to make this a night to remember.

Amidst this, the hosts of ‘Hunarbaaz – Desh Ki Shaan’ Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa along with Siddharth Dey join the contestants to give them a glimpse of their ‘hunar’ (talent).

As the contestants flamboyantly show off their dance moves and even perform skits, Bharti and Haarsh promptly grab a chance to tickle everyone with laughter by pulling their legs.

When Rashmi performs the song ‘Deewani Mastani’, Bharti says: “Yeh khaki-nikkar mein Mastani pehli baar dekhi yaar (first time seeing Mastani in a pant and shirt).”

Bharti also pretends to be Karan’s Punjabi mother and Tejasswi’s mother-in-law and comments on her dress.

The grand finale of the Colors show will be held in two parts on Saturday and Sunday.

‘Unstoppable’ special episode to spotlight show’s best moments

The makers of Balakrishna’s talk show ‘Unstoppable – With NBK’ are coming up with a special episode, which is to be aired this Friday.

Sharing an update of the same, the team shared a poster of Balakrishna and wrote, “Conversations, inspirations and a lot of smiles as we revisit the best of #Unstoppable. Enter the weekend with a special episode of #UnstoppableWithNBK. Premieres today at 8 PM.”

As mentioned by the team, the special episode of ‘Unstoppable’ will have a special treat, as the editors have captured the best moments from all the episodes of the season.

Intended to revisit those special moments, the team is all set to air the special episode on Friday, at 8 p.m.

‘Unstoppable- With NBK’ had Nandamuri Balakrishna’s debut in the OTT space, as it also marks his first time hosting a celebrity talk show. The show had several renowned actors and technicians of Tollywood, chat with Balakrishna, as he was seen showing off his perky side.

Mahesh Babu, Nani, Ravi Teja, Rashmika Mandanna, Allu Arjun, and many other noted celebrities were present at the show and entertained the viewers with their chats. As the finale of ‘Unstoppable’ featured Mahesh Babu as the guest, the episode was such a big hit.

Balakrishna, who wrapped up the curtain-raiser season of ‘Unstoppable- With NBK’, will soon kick-start shooting for the upcoming season of the super hit celebrity talk show.