Author: Ankita Singh

Acclaimed actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui has made a notable entry into the comedy-horror genre with his latest film, “Thamma.” He feels grateful for the overwhelming love his character, Yakshasan, is receiving and emphasizes his commitment to delivering the best in every role.

Gratitude for Audience Appreciation

Nawazuddin expressed his heartfelt thanks for the positive reception, stating, “Main bahut grateful hoon ki log ‘Thamma’ mein mera character Yakshasan ko itna pasand kar rahe hain.” (I am very grateful that people are liking my character Yakshasan in ‘Thamma’ so much.)

He further added, “Honestly, main bas apna kaam karta hoon… aur jab audience appreciate karti hai, toh bahut khushi hoti hai.” (Honestly, I just do my work… and when the audience appreciates it, it brings me immense joy.) This support, he mentioned, serves as motivation for him to strive harder, as he aims to give his best in every performance.

Appreciation for Collaborators

Reflecting on his collaboration with the team, he said, “Is safar mein, main dil se thanks kehna chahta hoon director Aditya Sarpotdar ji ka.” He also expressed gratitude towards the producers, Dinesh Vijan and Amar Kaushik, stating, “Aap sab ne is kahani ko zinda kar diya.” (You all have brought this story to life.)

He concluded with a special note of thanks to the audience: “Aur sabse bade thanks aap sab audience ko aapke pyaar ke bina yeh mumkin nahi hota.” (And the biggest thanks goes to all of you, the audience; without your love, this wouldn’t have been possible.)

About “Thamma”

“Thamma” also features Rashmika Mandanna and Ayushmann Khurrana. Set in a fictional realm, the film explores the journey of a dedicated historian who, while diving into ancient manuscripts, uncovers dark secrets tied to local vampire myths as supernatural forces begin to emerge.

Actor Vishnu Vishal, who stars in the investigative thriller ‘Aaryan’ directed by Praveen K, recently revealed that a lip-lock scene from a song in the film was edited out following a request from actress Maanasa Choudhary, who plays a crucial role.

At an event organized by the film’s makers, Vishnu Vishal stated, “We included a romantic number in the film. After we shot the scene, Maanasa approached the director expressing her concerns about including that particular scene. She insisted on omitting it from the song.”

Vishnu elaborated, “When the director shared her feedback with me, I immediately understood her perspective. I informed the director that we wouldn’t film anything like that, and we would take a different approach to the song.”

Addressing Maanasa, he added, “In the final editing of the film, the scene has been removed. I respect your words, and as an actor, I appreciate you voicing your thoughts. We’ve acted on it, as I always respect women and their viewpoints in cinema.”

The film has received clearance from the Censor Board and is set to release on October 31. Produced by Vishnu Vishal Studioz in collaboration with Shubhra and Aryan Ramesh, ‘Aaryan’ promises to be a gripping thriller.

A recently released trailer introduces Selvaraghavan as a serial killer who challenges the police by revealing the name of his intended victim exactly one hour before the crime. This sets off a race against time for the cops, who assign the case to Vishnu Vishal, recognized for having previously solved a similar case in Kodaikanal. The story unfolds as a deadly competition ensues between the criminal and the law enforcement officers.

In ‘Aaryan’, Vishnu Vishal reprises his role as a police officer, joined by Selvaraghavan, Shraddha Srinath, and Maanasa Choudhary in key roles. Additional cast members include Sai Ronak, Tarak Ponnappa, Mala Parvathi, Avinash, and Abishek Joseph George.

This unique investigative action thriller is directed by Praveen K, with co-writing contributions from Manu Anand, known for directing ‘FIR’ featuring Vishnu Vishal.

Filming commenced with a pooja in September 2022. At that time, Vishnu shared why he considers this project special: “My son now has my film in his name. This is going to be an unforgettable title for me.”

The film’s cinematography is handled by Harish Kannan, with music composed by Sam CS. The editing is done by San Lokesh, and it features action sequences choreographed by Stunt Silva.

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’ director Chuck Russell has expressed that while Robert Englund “is the only Freddy” for him, he believes Jim Carrey could convincingly portray the killer, drawing from his experience directing Carrey in the 1994 film “The Mask.”

Jim Carrey’s Potential

“Jim, in my opinion, could almost do anything if he put his heart into it,” Russell shared on Dread Central’s Development Hell podcast. He further elaborated, “For Jim to do it, we’d have to do something that was another leap in the Elm Street series — a little bit like what Wes did with his very meta New Nightmare. I think Jim would only consider it, and I’d only consider harnessing Jim, if there was a bold new direction for Elm Street.”

Englund’s Thoughts on the Role

In a recent statement, Englund mentioned he feels “too old and thick to play Freddy now” after originating the character in the 1984 slasher film. He added, “I just can’t do fight scenes for more than one take anymore; I’ve got a bad neck and bad back and arthritis in my right wrist. So I have to hang it up, but I would love to do a cameo.” Englund also suggested that Kevin Bacon “would be interesting” as Freddy, stating, “I know he respects the genre, and he’s such a fine physical actor.”

Changing of the Guard

After Englund’s final performance as the iconic burned boogeyman in Freddy vs. Jason in 2003, Jackie Earle Haley assumed the role in the 2010 remake of Wes Craven’s original film, directed by Samuel Bayer.

Russell’s Vision for the Franchise

Russell expressed his enthusiasm for the possibility of returning to the Elm Street franchise, stating he would “love to do another Elm Street if there was the full support of everybody.” He highlighted that Patricia Arquette, who played Kristen Parker in his sequel, “has said she’d like to do it again in the press.”

A Legacy in Horror

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors’, released in 1987, was developed by Wes Craven and Bruce Wagner. This third installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise features a talented cast, including Heather Langenkamp, Patricia Arquette, Larry Fishburne, Priscilla Pointer, Craig Wasson, and Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. The storyline follows Nancy Thompson, now a psychiatrist, and Kristen Parker, a patient with the ability to bring others into her dreams, as they unite with other kids to launch a daring rescue into the dreamland to save a child from Freddy Krueger.

Actors Gopichand, Arjun Das, and Manchu Manoj were among many who celebrated Pan Indian star Prabhas on his 46th birthday. The occasion saw a flood of messages from fellow actors, directors, technicdigihunt, production houses, and fans, all showering their love and wishes.

Birthday Wishes from Friends

Telugu actor Gopichand was one of the first to wish the ‘Rebel Star’. He shared a heartfelt post on X, stating, “From our Telugu roots to global recognition, having reached unimaginable heights, you still remain the same humble (person) and grounded. That’s what makes you truly special, the darling of millions. Here’s to a king-size birthday, grandeur celebrations, and a year full of blockbuster moments… just like you are! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY PRABHAS!”

Tamil actor Arjun Das also extended his wishes through a post on X, saying, “Many happy returns of the day #Prabhas Garu. Wishing you a great year ahead. Take care & God bless. #HappyBirthdayPrabhas.”

Manchu Manoj expressed his affection, writing, “Happy Birthday to one of the sweetest souls I know! Wishing everyone’s darling #Prabhas Babai the very best in everything you desire today and always. You continue to own hearts with your love, kindness, and silent generosity. Stay blessed forever, Rebel Star. #HappyBirthdayPrabhas.”

His brother, Vishnu Manchu, shared his own tribute: “Happy Birthday to my brother #Prabhas. You’ve always carried strength and grace, and my loyalty to you is for life. Wishing you more power, peace & thunder at the box office! Love you! Har Har Mahadev! #HappyBirthdayPrabhas.”

Production Houses Join the Celebration

The renowned production house Vyjayanthi Movies, which produced the hit film ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, sent their greetings to Prabhas, saying, “To the REBEL force who redefined an era of cinema, Happy Birthday to our Bhairava & everyone’s darling #Prabhas. The next chapter awaits, see you soon on the sets of K. #HappyBirthdayPrabhas #Kalki2898AD.”

Hombale Films also joined in the festivities, wishing the beloved Telugu star, “Wishing the One and Only Rebel Star, our dearest #Prabhas a very Happy Birthday! Your humility off-screen, and your unmatched intensity on-screen, continue to inspire millions. Here’s to creating more cinematic magic and unforgettable action-packed moments, together! #HappyBirthdayPrabhas.”

Actor Vishal Jethwa’s film “Homebound” has been selected as the official entry for the Oscars in the Best International Feature Film category. He has expressed his eagerness to delve into regional cinema, stating he has never viewed films through the lens of language.

Exploring Regional Cinema

Vishal, who aspires to work in South Indian and Gujarati films, shared his vision as an artist: “I’ve never looked at cinema through the lens of language. A good story can travel anywhere, and I want to be part of that movement. Every regional industry in India has something special — a unique way of expressing emotion, culture, and rhythm. I’d love to explore that, whether it’s Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, or Gujarati cinema.”

Breaking Barriers

He emphasized, “It’s all one big creative universe, and I want to experience it fully. I don’t want to be confined to labels like ‘Hindi actor’ or ‘Bollywood actor.’” Vishal dreams of being “recognised as an Indian actor,” someone who belongs everywhere and to everyone who loves cinema. He remarked, “The beauty of the times we live in is that audiences no longer care where a story comes from; they only care about how it makes them feel.”

Vishal aims to connect with audiences across languages, cultures, and regions through honest performances.

About “Homebound”

Directed by National Award-winner Neeraj Ghaywan, “Homebound” is produced by Dharma Productions. The film follows two childhood friends from a small village in North India who aspire to become police officers, hoping the job will bring them the respect they’ve long desired. However, as they near their goal, pressures and struggles threaten their friendship. The film also stars Janhvi Kapoor and Ishaan Khatter.

“Homebound” had its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it reportedly received a nine-minute standing ovation.

Early Career

Vishal began his acting career in 2013 with the lead role of Akbar in “Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap.” He was later seen playing Bali in “Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman” in 2015, and a pivotal role as a terrorist in “Diya Aur Baati Hum” the following year. Vishal made his Hindi film debut as an antagonist in the 2019 film “Mardaani 2,” co-starring Rani Mukerji.

Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas is currently enjoying a holiday with her family and has shared a “most precious” picture featuring her American popstar husband, Nick Jonas, and their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas.

Cherished Moments at the Beach

Priyanka took to her Instagram stories, posting a serene picture of the father-daughter duo at the beach. In the image, they are sitting together on the sand, facing the ocean under striped beach umbrellas. Nick is seen wearing a sleeveless ribbed top, with a glucose monitor visible on his arm. For the caption, Priyanka wrote: “The most precious.”

She also shared an adorable selfie with Malti, where Priyanka smiles at the camera while Malti looks away. Another photograph captured Priyanka relaxing by the poolside with her pet dog, Diana, and she wrote: “Just what I needed.”

A Journey Together

Priyanka and Nick began dating in 2018, and the following December, the couple married at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, celebrating both Hindu and Christian ceremonies. In January 2022, they welcomed their daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, via surrogacy.

Upcoming Projects

Talking about her film work, Priyanka was last seen in “Heads Of State,” directed by Ilya Naishuller, co-starring Idris Elba and John Cena, who play the UK Prime Minister and US President, respectively. She will next share the screen with Mahesh Babu in a film tentatively titled “SSMB29.” Additionally, she has joined the cast of the popular franchise “Krrish 4,” which marks Hrithik Roshan’s directorial debut.

The 42-year-old actress is also set to portray a 19th-century Caribbean pirate in the forthcoming swashbuckler action drama, “The Bluff.”

Birthday Wishes

In another recent update, Priyanka wished her cousin actress Parineeti Chopra a happy birthday with a heartfelt message. Sharing a collage of their pictures, from adorable childhood moments to recent selfies, Priyanka wrote, “Happy birthday, Tisha. This birthday month brought you the most precious gift, and I can’t wait to see all the joy and love he brings into your life.”

Actor and television personality Naved Jafri recently shared a heartwarming picture on his social media account with his long-time friend Sanjay Dutt and Jaaved Jaaferi.

Through this touching photograph, Naved rekindled memories of their enduring friendship. He captioned the image: “Always a pleasure catching up with Sanju Bhai, such a humble, grounded, and effortlessly cool personality. No matter how many years pass, his warmth and simplicity remain the same. Conversations with him are always full of laughter, stories, and positivity. #sanjaydutt #jaavedjaaferi #bandraboys.” In the image, Sanjay Dutt can be seen wearing a white kurta, adorned with gold chains, showcasing his signature rugged look. Naved and Jaaved stand on either side, all three sharing radiant smiles.

For those who may not know, Naved Jafri and Jaaved Jaaferi, along with actor Ravi Behl, became household names with their judging roles on India’s first dance reality show, Boogie Woogie. Launched in the late 1990s, this show set the standard for dance-based television in India, elevating the trio to iconic cultural status thanks to their impeccable judging and dance moves.

Switching focus to Jaaved Jaaferi, he is set to star in the upcoming film “De De Pyaar De 2,” a light-hearted family comedy where he plays the role of Ajay Devgn’s best friend and therapist. It’s worth mentioning that Sanjay Dutt and Jaaved have previously shared screen space in the 2007 blockbuster comedy Dhamaal.

As for Sanjay Dutt, he will soon appear in the highly anticipated movie Dhurandhar. This film, directed by Aditya Dhar, is touted to be a spy thriller and is scheduled for release on December 5, 2025. The cast also features Ranveer Singh, Akshay Khanna, and R. Madhavan in significant roles.

Actor Varun Tej Konidela recently reflected on his critically acclaimed film ‘Kanche,’ directed by Krish Jagarlamudi, as it marked its 10-year anniversary. He described the film as one that “tested us, taught us, and changed us.”

Varun expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, “Ten years of #Kanche. A film that tested us, taught us, and changed us. Forever grateful to my director @DirKrish, my amazing co-actors, and our incredible team who gave their all.”

He also extended his gratitude to the Telugu audience and the jury of the National Awards for recognizing the film. “Thank you to the Telugu audience for making Kanche a true milestone in my journey and for its recognition as Best Regional Feature Film at the National Awards,” he added.

Looking back on the journey, he remarked, “Feels surreal looking back. Truly blessed. P.S. – Thanks for all the memories, my friend Levan Sikharulidze. @ItsMePragya @nikitindheer @FirstFrame_Ent @gnanashekarvs @ChirantannBhatt @saimadhav_burra #SirivennelaSeetaramaSastry.”

Earlier in the day, First Frame Entertainment, the production house behind ‘Kanche,’ celebrated the film’s milestone on social media. They posted, “Celebrating 10 glorious years of #Kanche. A film that redefined storytelling with its emotion, love, and sacrifice. Forever grateful to the wonderful cast, crew, and audience who made this film truly special.”

The film starred Pragya Jaiswal and Nikitin Dheer alongside Varun Tej and featured cinematography by Gnana Shekar V S. Set against the backdrop of World War II, ‘Kanche’ depicted the enmity between two friends who ultimately serve together in the British Indian Army. The music was composed by Chirantan Bhatt.

Art direction was handled by Sahi Suresh, with editing by Suraj Jagtap and Rama Krishna Arram. Claimed to be Telugu cinema’s first World War II-based film, ‘Kanche’ won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu at the 63rd National Film Awards and received the state government’s Nandi Award for Best Film on National Integration.

The makers of director Selvamani Selvaraj’s much-anticipated period drama, Kaantha, featuring actor Dulquer Salmaan in the lead, recently released the beautiful romantic single Kanmani Nee, much to the delight of fans and film enthusiasts.

Dulquer Salmaan, who plays the lead role, took to his social media platforms to share the link to the track. He expressed, “Some songs aren’t just heard, they’re felt! #KanmaniNee, a timeless tune from #Kaantha, is OUT NOW! A @SpiritMediaIN and @DQsWayfarerFilm production.”

Composed by Jhanu Chanthar, Kanmani Nee stands out for its soothing orchestration that echoes the melodies of a bygone era. The lyrics, imbued with poetic grace by Deepika Karthik Kumar, come alive through Pradeep Kumar’s heartfelt vocals, making Kanmani Nee an instant favorite among lovers of classic romance.

This enchanting song beautifully captures the vintage love story between Dulquer Salmaan and Bhagyashri Borse, who play the lead characters.

Initially, Kaantha was scheduled to hit screens on September 12, but the team decided to postpone the release. The new date is now set for November 14.

A teaser for Kaantha released earlier has generated immense excitement among fans and film buffs, further raising expectations for the film. The teaser begins with an announcer revealing that Saantha, the film being made by Modern Studios, aims to be Tamil cinema’s first horror film. It showcases the filmmaking process, highlighting the conflict between Ayya (Samuthirakani), the writer and director, and Dulquer Salmaan, the protagonist. Their once amicable relationship has soured, as Ayya wishes to shoot a scene featuring the character Chandran being scared by a spirit named Neeli, while Dulquer prefers another lighter scene.

Despite their current animosity, the teaser hints at a past filled with love and respect between the two. Ayya once played a crucial role in shaping Dulquer into the hero he is today. As the film progresses, Ayya aims to focus on the heroine, while Dulquer continues to push for changes, ultimately renaming the film from Saantha to Kaantha.

Set in 1950s Madras, Kaantha promises to transport viewers to that vibrant era, capturing a time when tradition and modernity intersected, leading to deeply personal and profound stories.

Sources close to the unit describe the film as richly textured, anchored by powerful performances and stunning visuals.

The eagerly awaited period film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Bhagyashri Borse in lead roles. Produced jointly by Spirit Media and Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films, Kaantha features cinematography by renowned cameraman Dani Sanchez Lopaz, music by Jhanu Chanthar, with art direction by Tha. Ramalingam and editing by Llewellyn Anthony Gonsalves.

Actor Jackky Bhagnani recently posted a delightful photo on his social media, showcasing him holding a firecracker box adorned with the image of his wife, Rakul Preet Singh.

He playfully captioned the post, “Meri Phuljhadi,” accompanied by a heart and a fire emoji. This cute yet cheeky post quickly went viral, as it beautifully highlights their strong chemistry. Jackky’s affectionate reference to Rakul as his “Phuljhadi” adds a festive vibe, capturing their love in a fun way.

A few weeks prior, to celebrate Rakul’s birthday, the producer-actor shared a heartfelt poem for her, expressing his admiration and love on her special day. The touching lines read:

“My Love, My Universe
My love, happy birthday — this day means more than words can say,
for on this very day, God chose to send you my way.
A blessing wrapped in grace and light,
you make every wrong feel right.
The best at heart, in all you do —
the world’s a kinder place with you.
Best wife, best daughter, daughter-in-law too,
best sister — there’s nothing you can’t do.
My best friend, my calm, my guide,
my therapist, my life — my pride.

So today, I pray and truly mean,
may all your dreams paint life serene.
You deserve the brightest, the grandest part —
for you are the queen of every heart.
I love you past the moon’s embrace,
beyond each planet’s endless space —
to Jupiter, stars, and back to start…
Happy birthday, keeper of my heart.”

The nostalgic post also featured previously unseen moments of the actress. Since tying the knot on February 21, 2024, Rakul and Jackky have consistently set couple goals.

On the professional front, Rakul is set to reprise her role as Ayesha Khurana in “De De Pyar De 2”, alongside Ajay Devgn, R. Madhavan, Tabu, and Gautami Kapoor. The film, directed by Anshul Sharma, is scheduled to release on November 14.