‘Shamshera’ director is chuffed with the response to film’s trailer

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Karan Malhotra, the director of the upcoming Ranbir Kapoor-Sanjay Dutt starrer period actioner ‘Shamshera’ is thrilled with the response to the film’s trailer and has assured us that the key video unit is just the tip of the iceberg as it doesn’t reveal much about the story.

Elaborating on the same, Karan, who made his directorial debut with the 2012 action-drama ‘Agnipath’, said in a statement, “I’m overwhelmed and humbled by the response that we have got for ‘Shamshera’. It validates that Hindi cinema, told in its most genuine and most authentic form, will always connect to the people who want to witness a big-screen spectacle. Adi’s unconditional belief in my vision and an outstanding creative collaboration with my cast and crew have brought this revenge-action entertainer to life.”

He adds, “What thrills me is that the trailer is just the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to Shamshera than what the audiences have seen in the trailer. So many more layers, so many more characters, and so many more mysteries will unfold when they watch this splendor on the big screen.”

Ranbir Kapoor, who returns to the silver screen four years after his last release ‘Sanju’, is playing a larger-than-life quintessential Hindi film hero in the film. Ranbir is mightily impressed with the trailer as without giving out important aspects of the film’s plot, the trailer has made such a huge impact.

The actor said, “As an artist when you and the entire team put in all the hard work trying to make a big-screen visual spectacle, it is always heartening and validating to see such unanimously positive responses. I have to congratulate the captain of the ship, Karan Malhotra, YRF, and the entire team of ‘Shamshera’ at this moment. It’s a really special feeling for all of us. But what’s most exciting is that the trailer doesn’t give us the entire story.”

“It has been intelligently handled because the trailer is not linear. It hardly tells you anything about Shamshera’s life. It doesn’t tell you anything about Balli’s emotional arc. It doesn’t show Sanjay Dutt’s insane villainy and the havoc he wreaks. For that, you have to wait for the film”, he added.

‘Shamshera’ is set in the fictitious city of Kaza, where a warrior tribe is imprisoned, enslaved, and tortured by a ruthless authoritarian general Shuddh Singh. It tells the story of the titular character, who became a slave, a slave who became a leader, and then a legend for his tribe. He relentlessly fights for his tribe’s freedom and dignity.

The film, produced by Aditya Chopra under the banner of YRF, is set to release theatrically in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on July 22, 2022.

 

Tollywood singer couple deny rumours of separation with humorous posts

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For the past few days, Telugu media has been buzzing with rumours that Tollywood singing duo Vedala Hemachandra and Sravana Bhargavi are about to call it quits on their nine-year marriage.

Now that the couple has dismissed the rumours, they have come up with quirky posts on their socials.

Hemachandra, a renowned playback singer and dubbing artist, has finally spoken out about reports that he and his wife Sravana Bhargavi, a well-known singer and TV anchor, are divorcing.

Hemachandra posted a humorous message on his Instagram account to deny all the rumours. “Unnecessary, irrelevant, stupid information spreads much faster than my independent songs”, Hemachandra’s topsy-turvy Instagram post reads.

Hemachandra’s wife, a singer too, Sravana Bhargavi, took to her Instagram to covey, “In the past few days, My Youtube views have gone up, My Instagram followers have increased, I’m getting more work than I usually do, I’m earning more than I usually do. Good call. Right or wrong, Media is a blessing Random Thought (sic)”

The couple tagged each other in their individual reactions to the split rumours, so they may now anticipate a calmer and more subdued response from the media.

Mahesh Babu, wife Namrata Shirodkar meet Bill Gates

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Telugu star Mahesh Babu has met Microsoft founder Bill Gates in the US. Bill Gates, Mahesh, and his wife Namrata Shirodkar posed for a picture together.

The ‘Maharshi’ actor, posted the picture of himself and his wife Namrata with Bill Gates, on his socials, and stated, “Had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Bill Gates! One of the greatest visionaries this world has seen and yet the most humble! Truly an inspiration!!”

Mahesh Babu is now on vacation in the United States. His wife and kids have been showing off pictures from their trip over the last few days. Mahesh Babu’s recent pictures from the vacation, have been trending on social media platforms for a while now.

On the work front, Mahesh Babu just scored a super hit with the movie ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’, and will next be directed by ‘Ala Vaikunthapuramu Loo’ fame Trivikram Srinivas. Mahesh also has a movie with SS Rajamouli.

 

Kamal Haasan’s blockbuster ‘Vikram’ hits OTT on July 8

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Kamal Hassan-starrer ‘Vikram’, which is still going strong even after grossing Rs 400 crore in box office collections worldwide, will have its worldwide OTT premiere on Disney+ Hotstar on July 8.

‘Vikram’, which has been showered with praises from people, continues to hog the spotlight. The movie hasn’t just impressed Indian trade circles alone but has left even International markets awestruck as well.

Written and directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the Kamal Haasan-Vijay Sethupathi-Fahadh Faasil-Suriya starrer had its worldwide theatrical release on June 3, 2022.

The movie had a blockbuster opening and the theatres soon became a place of carnival, with the scenario of house-full shows continuing, even three-four weeks after the release.

‘Vikram’ has broken several box office records and has officially become the number one top grosser in Tamil Nadu. This is a fact that has been confirmed by the producers, distributors and exhibitors.

And now, the movie is to have its worldwide OTT premiere on Disney+ Hotstar, from July 8 onwards. The film will be available in Tamil, Telugu & Hindi from July 8.

 

Actors Jayam Ravi, Vishal, Khushbu condole Vidyasagar’s demise

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Actors Jayam Ravi, Vishal, and Khushbu Sundar were among scores of people who condoled the demise of actress Meena’s husband, Vidyasagar, which has left the film industry shocked and deeply saddened.

Taking to Twitter, Jayam Ravi said, “Rest in Peace my friend Sagar. You fought so bravely. My heart goes out to Meena and Nainika. Our prayers to overcome this loss.”

Actor Vishal too expressed his condolences. He tweeted, “Really disheartening to hear the news that actress Meena’s husband is no more! My heartfelt condolences to Meena.
May you stay strong and may his soul rest in peace.”

Actress Khushbu Sundar said she was heartbroken to learn of the news. Taking to Twitter, she wrote, “Waking up to terrible news. Heartbroken to learn actor Meena’s husband, Sagar, is no more with us. He was battling a lung ailment for a long. Heart goes out to Meena and her young daughter. Life is cruel. At a loss of words to express grief. Deepest condolences to the family.”

Scores of others too have been expressing their condolences to the family.

Vidyasagar, aged 48, passed away at a private hospital in the city on Tuesday night.

Sources close to the actress said that Vidyasagar was diagnosed with a lung ailment in March this year and had to be treated for it. Prior to that, he was down with Covid 19 but had managed to recover from it. Vidyasagar’s health who was hospitalised for treatment of his lung problem, deteriorated on Tuesday night and he passed away at around 7 pm.

His funeral is to take place on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Gautham Vasudev Menon’s ‘Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu’ to release on Sep 15

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Director Gautham Vasudev Menon’s much-awaited action entertainer ‘Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu’, starring Silambarasan TR and Siddhi Idnani in the lead, will hit screens on September 15 this year.

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon took to Twitter to make the announcement. He posted the link to the release announcement teaser and said, “‘Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu’ – We have a date with all of you. VTK on September 15th in theatres! Produced by Vels Film International Ishari K Ganesh.

Shooting for the film was wrapped up in Mumbai in April, after which post-production work began.

The action-thriller movie traverses through the life of a young man from a village in Tamil Nadu, whose life takes a turn after moving to Mumbai. The film has been majorly shot in Tiruchendur, Chennai, and Mumbai.

Siddhi Idnani plays Silambarasan TR’s love interest in this film which will also feature Neeraj Madhav of ‘The Family Man’ fame and Radhika Sarathkumar, among others.

The film has cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni and editing by Anthony.

 

Samantha’s next film ‘Yashoda’ likely to get postponed

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The release of Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s upcoming movie, the Hari and Harish-directed “woman-centric sci-fi thriller” ‘Yashoda’, has most likely been delayed.

‘Yashoda’ was slated to premiere on August 12, but the makers are now said to be looking for a new release date. They have, however, not made a formal announcement to this effect, nor an explanation for the postponement.

The upcoming drama ‘Yashoda’ is a survival thriller about an imprisoned woman, played by Samantha Ruth Prabhu. It was originally shot in Telugu but is now scheduled to be released in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and Hindi after being dubbed.

In addition to Samantha, other notable actors in the movie include Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Rao Ramesh, Unni Mukundan, Murali Sharma, Sampath Raj, and Shatru, Madhurima, Divya Sripada, Priyanka Sharma, and Kalpika Ganesh.

Kajol, Suriya invited to join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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Popular Tamil star Suriya, Bollywood actress Kajol, award-winning filmmaker Nalin Kumar Pandya aka Pan Nalin, Oscar-nominated documentary makers Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas, and Indian American ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ producer Adiya Sood have been inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that presents the Oscars each year.

Our correspondent from Chennai reports that Suriya is the first South Indian actor to be inducted into the Academy till date.

On Tuesday, the Academy released the list of 397 distinguished artistes and executives it had invited to join the organisation in 2022. The Academy said the new members had been selected on the basis of their professional qualifications and their “ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion and equity”.

‘Variety’ notes that if all of this year’s invitees accept membership, it will bring the total number of Academy members to 10,665, with 9,665 eligible to vote for the 95th Oscars set to take place on March 12, 2023.

The new invitees, 50 per cent of whom are from 53 countries and territories outside the United States, include 71 Oscar nominees, including 15 winners.

Some of the big names invited are recent winners Ariana DeBose (‘West Side Story]) and Troy Kotsur (‘CODA’), and nominees Jessie Buckley (‘The Lost Daughter’), Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee (‘The Power of the Dog’).

Also invited, according to ‘Variety’, are a slew of global artistes such as Robin de Jes s (‘Tick, Tick … Boom!’), Olga Merediz (‘In the Heights’) and Vincent Lindon (‘Titane’), director Reinaldo Marcus Green (‘King Richard’), screenwriters Jeremy O Harris (‘Zola’) and Jon Spaihts (‘Dune’), and pop star Billie Eilish, who also sang for ‘No Time to Die’.

Lindon, incidentally, was the president of the competition section jury of the 75th Cannes Film Festival.

 

Popular Tamil actress Meena’s husband Vidyasagar passes away

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Vidyasagar, the husband of well-known Tamil actress Meena, passed away at a private hospital in the city on Tuesday night. He was 48.

Sources close to the actress said that Vidyasagar was diagnosed with a lung ailment in March this year and had to be treated for it. Prior to that, he was down with Covid-19 but had managed to recover from it.

The health condition of Vidyasagar, who was hospitalized for the treatment of his lung problem, worsened on Tuesday night and he passed away around 7 p.m.

His funeral is to take place at the Besant Nagar crematorium in Chennai at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.

Meena, who has worked extensively in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam cinema for over three decades, has been a part of several critically acclaimed superhits including Mohanlal’s ‘Drishyam’ and Kamal Haasan’s ‘Avvai Shanmugi’.

 

Hansika’s ‘Maha’ to hit screens on July 22

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Director U.R. Jameel’s much-awaited thriller ‘Maha’, featuring actress Hansika Motwani in the lead, will finally hit screens on July 22, its makers announced on Tuesday.

The film, which has been awaiting release for quite a long time, has triggered a lot of interest amongst industry insiders and film buffs for two reasons.

The first is that the film is Hansika’s 50th film and the next is that actor Silambarasan has played a role in the film.

‘Maha’ is produced by Malik Streams Corporation, a production, and distribution company that is based in Malaysia.

The film, which has music by Ghibran, has cinematography by J Laxman and editing by John Abraham.

Along with UR Jameel, the film has been co-directed by Anju Vijai and is touted to be a gripping thriller.