Lokah Box Office: Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Superhero Film Nears ₹50 Crore in Opening Weekend

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Kalyani Priyadarshan’s much-anticipated superhero film Lokah (released as Kotha Lokah in Telugu) is off to a flying start at the box office. Directed by Dominic Arun, the film also stars Naslen in a pivotal role.

After a steady Day 1, collections saw a sharp jump on Day 2, indicating strong word-of-mouth. Early trends from Day 3 suggest an even bigger turnout, setting up the film for a blockbuster weekend.

Industry trade reports hint that Lokah could close its opening weekend at around ₹40 crore worldwide. With over 3.27 lakh tickets sold on BookMyShow in the last 24 hours across languages, Sunday figures are expected to be impressive. If the movie surpasses the ₹50 crore mark by the weekend’s end, it would be a major milestone for Kalyani Priyadarshan, especially considering the competition from Mohanlal’s Hridayapoorvam.

The movie features an ensemble cast including Sandy Master, Tovino Thomas, Dulquer Salmaan, and Soubin Shahir, with music composed by Jakes Bejoy. Backed by Wayfarer Films, Lokah is emerging as one of the biggest successes of 2025 for Mollywood.

Mirai Theatrical Business Closes at ₹24.5 Crore – A Safe & Promising Venture

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Mirai Theatrical Business Report

The Telugu film Mirai, starring Manchu Manoj in a striking negative role, has closed its theatrical business at ₹24.5 crore across domestic and overseas markets. This makes it one of the notable trade deals in Tollywood for 2025.

Territory-Wise Business

  • Overseas (USA): ₹4.5 crore

  • Andhra: ₹8 crore (highest among domestic territories)

  • Nizam: ₹7 crore (a key stronghold)

  • Ceded: ₹3 crore

  • Karnataka: ₹2 crore

Total Business: ₹24.5 crore

Market Insights

Trade analysts note that this valuation is well-balanced and realistic, given the film’s:

  • Strong pre-release buzz

  • Positive booking trends

  • Effective promotions and marketing

With Andhra and Nizam contributing the lion’s share and overseas rights commanding a solid price, Mirai’s breakeven target is expected to be crossed comfortably, ensuring distributors both safety and profit scope.

Box-Office Expectations

Backed by Manchu Manoj’s transformation, stylish visuals, and gripping storyline, Mirai is riding on high expectations. With its wide reach and promising distribution, the film is positioned as a safe and profitable venture ahead of its September 12, 2025, release.

Manchu Manoj Stuns with a Dark, Stylish Avatar in Mirai Trailer

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Manchu Manoj’s Stunning Transformation in Mirai

Life often throws surprises, and Manchu Manoj’s new look in Mirai is one such twist. Known for his fiery, aggressive hero roles, Manoj is now stepping into a negative character—a refreshing shift that’s already sparking curiosity.

Director Karthik Ghattamaneni has completely redefined Manoj’s screen presence. His dialogue delivery is sharper, his expressions more restrained, and his aggression replaced with quiet menace. This controlled performance allows Manoj to dominate every frame without resorting to over-the-top dramatics.

Trailer Impact

The Mirai trailer has taken audiences by surprise with its stylish visuals, gripping action, and intriguing storyline. Manoj’s menacing yet stylish avatar stands out, suggesting that his character could be one of the highlights of the film.

Adding depth to the cast are Ritika Nayak, Jagapathi Babu, and Shriya, who bring a strong presence and layers to the story. Fans are already hyped for the movie’s thrilling twists, emotions, and unique narrative style.

Release Date & Expectations

Mirai is set to release on September 12, 2025, and expectations are sky-high. Manoj’s bold move into a villainous role could mark a turning point in his career, offering audiences a new dimension of his acting.

With cool action, emotional depth, and fresh storytelling, Mirai is shaping up to be a big attraction for Tollywood fans this season.

Bhavana’s Horror Thriller The Door Now Streaming on Aha Tamil

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The Door OTT Release Update

Tamil horror thriller The Door, starring Bhavana, has finally arrived in the digital space. After releasing in theatres in March 2025, the film is now streaming on Aha Tamil. Currently, it is available only in Tamil audio with English subtitles, and there’s no word yet on dubbed versions for other languages.

When it hit theatres, The Door received mixed reviews. Critics pointed out that the screenplay lacked excitement, and the movie couldn’t make much of a mark at the box office. However, Bhavana’s performance as the lead was widely appreciated.

Storyline

Bhavana plays an architect who visits a construction site as part of her job, only to realize the workplace is haunted by a supernatural entity. The eerie events unravel into a chilling confrontation between the rational and the paranormal.

Cast & Crew

  • Director: Jaiidev (Bhavana’s brother)

  • Producer: Naveen Rajan

  • Cast: Bhavana, Ganesh Venkatraman, Priya Venkat, Jayaprakash, Sriranjini, and others

With Bhavana’s commanding performance at its core, The Door might now gain more attention from horror fans on OTT compared to its theatrical run.

Baaghi 4 Trailer: Tiger Shroff’s Action Turns into a Wannabe Animal

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Baaghi 4 Trailer Review

The much-anticipated trailer of Baaghi 4, starring Tiger Shroff, has dropped after its teaser faced heavy backlash for imitating the style of Animal and Marco 2. Sadly, the trailer does little to change that perception.

Directed by Kannada filmmaker A. Harsha, the trailer initially teases an intriguing plot. Tiger’s character suffers from a mysterious illness, leading him to hallucinate a girl named Alisha. Those around him insist Alisha doesn’t exist, setting up a psychological mystery.

However, the intrigue quickly fades as the film dives into over-the-top action sequences that feel excessively inspired by Animal. Brutal, gory fights take center stage, overshadowing the story’s emotional base.

Tiger’s tragic love story with Harnaaz Sandhu (former Miss Universe) could have added depth, but her character’s death merely serves as a trigger for a barrage of exaggerated fight scenes. Supporting actors Sonam Bajwa and Sanjay Dutt are also dragged into violent set pieces that showcase excessive bloodshed and body mutilation.

While the premise of hallucination and heartbreak has potential, the reliance on shock-value violence risks diluting the impact. Many feel Baaghi 4 is trying too hard to be Bollywood’s next Animal—instead of carving its own identity.

Baaghi 4 Release Date

Baaghi 4 is scheduled to hit theatres on September 5, 2025. Whether its emotional foundation can balance the violent spectacle remains to be seen.

Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra Movie Review | Kalyani Priyadarshan’s Bold Superhero Debut

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Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra Movie Review – A Bold Start to a Superhero Universe

Release Date: August 29, 2025
Cast: Kalyani Priyadarshan, Naslen, Chandu Salimkumar, Nishanth Sagar, Raghunath Paleri, Vijayaraghavan, Nithya Shri & others
Director: Dominic Arun
Producer: Dulquer Salmaan
Music: Jake Bejoy
Cinematography: Nimish Ravi
Editing: Chaan Chakko

Story:

Chandra, also known as Neeli (Kalyani Priyadarshan), is an immortal with hidden strengths and vulnerabilities. Narrowly escaping her pursuers, she relocates to Bengaluru to lead a quiet life, guided by the mysterious Moothon (voice of Mammootty). There, her neighbor Sunny (Naslen) befriends her, but when he discovers her real identity, fear and doubt creep in. Meanwhile, Inspector Nachiyappa Gowda (Sandy Master) begins to suspect her. Who is Chandra really? What secrets from her past threaten her present? The answers unfold in Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra.

Plus Points:

  • Female-led superhero film: A rare feat in Indian cinema, with Kalyani Priyadarshan’s performance standing tall.

  • Folklore + superhero fusion: Kerala legends meet modern superhero storytelling.

  • Strong world-building: Instead of rushing into clichés, the film sets up a cinematic universe.

  • Technical brilliance: Jakes Bejoy’s thumping score, Nimish Ravi’s stunning visuals, effective CGI, and polished production values.

  • Standout moments: The pre-interval block, action sequences, and crowd-pleasing cameos (especially Tovino Thomas).

Minus Points:

  • Underdeveloped emotions: The Chandra–Sunny bond loses weight in the second half.

  • Weak antagonist: Nachiyappa Gowda doesn’t feel menacing enough.

  • Pacing dips: Screenplay slows post-interval due to heavy universe-building.

  • Too many side characters: Some remain shallow, leaving narrative gaps.

Technical Aspects:

Director Dominic Arun deserves praise for ambition and vision, though sharper writing was needed. Technically, the film excels in sound, visuals, CGI, and dubbing, but editing could have been tighter.

Verdict:

Kotha Lokah – Chapter 1: Chandra is a bold and ambitious start to a new superhero cinematic universe. Powered by Kalyani Priyadarshan’s strong performance, superb visuals, and rooted in Kerala folklore, it brings something fresh to Indian cinema. Despite pacing issues and a weak villain, this female-led superhero film is a must-watch for its novelty and vision.

 Rating: 3.25/5
 Watch it for the beginning of an exciting new universe.

Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati Gets U/A Certificate, Releasing September 5, 2025

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Anushka Shetty’s Ghaati Clears Censor with U/A Certificate, Gears Up for September 5 Release

Anushka Shetty’s much-awaited action drama Ghaati has completed its censor formalities and secured a U/A certificate, setting the stage for a grand theatrical release on September 5, 2025.

Directed by Krish, the film has been making waves with its gripping promos and adrenaline-pumping action sequences. Anushka, celebrated for her commanding screen presence, is paired with Vikram Prabhu, who takes on the male lead.

Ghaati promises to be a powerful mix of action and emotion, with Krish’s signature storytelling style expected to elevate the narrative. With censor clearance now in place, the makers are gearing up for a wide release.

With high expectations riding on Anushka’s star power and the film’s engaging content, Ghaati is poised to be one of the most talked-about releases of the season.

Tollywood Re-Releases Losing Charm? Why It’s Time for a Break

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Tollywood Re-Releases: Time to Hit Pause?

The Telugu film industry is currently going through a rough patch at the box office. With back-to-back theatrical disappointments and a lack of strong entertainers, audiences are gradually losing interest in visiting cinemas. To fill the gap, re-releases have become a trend, but lately, even these are failing to make an impact.

For instance, on Chiranjeevi’s birthday, his fans celebrated with the re-release of Stalin in 4K. Unfortunately, the movie failed to pull crowds and went largely unnoticed. Many argue that Stalin was not the right choice to be showcased as a celebratory re-release.

Similarly, Nagarjuna’s fans opted to re-release Ragada for his birthday. But given that the film underperformed during its original run and lacked universal appeal, the move did not help. Only a niche audience enjoyed it, which isn’t enough for box-office success in the re-release phase.

The truth is, unless a film was a blockbuster in its initial run or offers a unique theatrical experience that younger audiences missed, re-releases are unlikely to succeed. Otherwise, they risk becoming mere home-screen experiences rather than big-screen celebrations.

At this point, it may be time for Tollywood to take a step back and rethink its re-release strategy.

War 2 OTT Release: Jr NTR & Hrithik Roshan’s Action Spectacle to Stream on Netflix Soon

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Man of Masses Jr NTR has taken Bollywood by storm with War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji. Coming right after Devara, Tarak impressed audiences with his first Hindi film, where he shared screen space with Hrithik Roshan.

Expectations for War 2 were sky-high before release, and while reviews were mixed, the movie’s box office numbers proved NTR’s unmatched craze. Released worldwide on August 14, 2025, the film grossed over ₹350 crores, cementing itself as a major commercial success.

Now, the spotlight has shifted to the OTT release. Fans who experienced the action spectacle in theatres are eagerly waiting to relive it at home. Reportedly, Netflix has bagged the digital streaming rights of War 2, and the film will premiere on the platform soon. An official date is expected to be announced shortly.

With Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr. joining forces, War 2 has delivered a big-screen treat, and its OTT debut will further expand its reach to a global audience.

Sidharth Malhotra & Janhvi Kapoor’s Param Sundari Streams Soon on Prime Video | Box Office & OTT Update

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Bollywood’s latest romantic comedy, Param Sundari, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor, has finally arrived in theatres. Directed by Tushar Jalota, the film opened to mixed reviews but is expected to register an opening of around ₹8 crores nett at the box office.

The movie’s soundtrack played a huge role in building its buzz. Especially the track Paradesiya, composed by Sachin–Jigar, turned into a chartbuster even before release, boosting anticipation among the youth.

Meanwhile, the makers have now finalized the film’s OTT partner. Prime Video has acquired the post-theatrical digital rights, which were officially confirmed in the opening credits. The rom-com will stream exclusively on Prime Video eight weeks after its theatrical release, giving fans a chance to relive the chemistry of Sidharth and Janhvi at home.

The film also features Renji Panicker, Siddhartha Shankar, Manjot Singh, and Sanjay Kapoor in crucial roles, while Abhishek Banerjee makes a special cameo appearance. Produced by Dinesh Vijan under Maddock Films, the movie is set against the picturesque backdrop of Kerala.