Category: Entertainment

If sources in the industry are to be believed, director Mohan G’s eagerly awaited Tamil-Telugu historical drama ‘Draupathi 2’ is set to release for Pongal this year.

A source close to the film unit shared, “The film is definitely now coming for Pongal. It will be out on one of the festival days. The team is working out the details but the film is certainly coming for Pongal.”

Originally, the makers aimed for a January 23 release, as two big films—actor Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ and Sivakathikeyan’s ‘Parasakthi’—were scheduled for the same festival. They even considered pushing their release date to sometime later in January but before the month ended.

With the announcement of Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ getting postponed, a vacant slot has emerged in the Pongal release week. This opens up opportunities for other filmmakers with completed projects to debut their films.

Produced by Chola Chakravarthy of Netaji Productions in association with G. M Film Corporation, ‘Draupathi 2’ has ignited significant interest among fans.

The film is set in the 14th century, unfolding against the backdrop of the rule of Hoysala emperor Veera Vallalar III, the valour and resistance of the Kadavarayas of Sendhamangalam, and the turbulent shifts triggered by the Mughal invasion of Tamil Nadu.

In addition to Richard Rishi and Rakshana Induchoodan, actor and cinematographer Natti Natraj will play a significant role. The cast also includes Y. G. Mahendran, Nadodigal Barani, Saravana Subbiah, Vela Ramamoorthy, Siraj Johnny, Dinesh Lamba, Ganesh Gaurang, Divi, Devayani Sharma, and Arunodayan, enhancing the film’s historical scale and dramatic presence.

The film features a strong technical team. Its Telugu dialogues have been penned by Samrat, while Ghibran Vaibodha has composed the music. Cinematography is handled by Philip R. Sundar, and choreography is managed by Thanika Tony.

Stunts have been choreographed by Action Santosh, with editing done by Devaraj and art direction by Kamalnathan.

Actor Avinash Mishra is all set to make his much-awaited OTT debut with the series “Hisaab.”

Excitement for OTT Debut

Expressing his enthusiasm, Avinash stated, “I am very excited about my OTT debut. Hisaab is special to me because it’s one hell of a role. I have never done anything like this before, and that is what makes it so exciting. As an actor, you seek out roles that challenge you, and this one truly pushed my limits.”

A Unique Journey

He shared insights into his journey and the intensity of his character. “The shooting is done, and now we are waiting for the release. During the shoot, I felt a constant thrill because the character required a different mindset. OTT lets you explore characters in a much deeper and raw way, and I loved every part of that process.”

Growth as an Actor

Reflecting on the impact of “Hisaab” on his acting skills, Avinash remarked, “This project has helped me grow. I had to unlearn a lot and approach scenes with a fresh outlook. There were times when the character surprised me, and that’s when you know you’re doing something right as an actor.”

Looking Forward

Avinash concluded, “Hisaab marks a crucial chapter in my career. Post-production is ongoing, and the series will release very soon. I am both nervous and excited to see the audience’s reaction. I truly hope they watch the show with an open mind and accept me in this completely new role.”

Featuring fellow actors Mouni Roy, Shaheer Sheikh, and Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia, “Hisaab” promises to be an exciting addition to the digital landscape.

Filmmaker Rohit Shetty has shared his thoughts on the irony of never winning any awards despite delivering numerous blockbusters. Recently attending an event for The Indian National Cine Academy (INCA), Shetty humorously remarked, “Mere aur awards ka door-door tak koi rishta-naata nahi hai. 17 filmein ho gayi hai, sirf hosting ke liye jaata hoon” (There is absolutely no connection between me and awards. I have done 17 films and only been invited there for hosting).

Actor Manoj Tiwari, who was also present at the event, shared his own experiences with award recognition. He recalled working on a Bhojpuri film in 2004, which was made for Rs. 30 lakhs but went on to earn Rs. 54 crores. “Yet, neither the director got a single award nor its writer was honoured,” he said, laughing. “Even I didn’t win any award. Hence, I’d like to thank Vishnu.”

Tiwari further commented, “We have always been told in this country ki hamesha ek lambi line kheench dijiye. Woh Vishnu ne kiya hai. I am fully aware of the capability of Mr Vishnu Induri. We in Bihar do watch Hindi cinema. We have a population of 34 crore Bhojpuri residents. We did not know who worked in Chennai or Hyderabad. Vishnu gave us a platform and now we know everyone. Hence, I believe that INCA is a big step and it’ll be something to watch out for.”

For those unfamiliar, INCA aims to encourage collaboration, knowledge-sharing, transparency, and credible recognition across various languages, regions, and crafts.

The announcement of INCA was made in a gathering of prominent filmmakers, producers, artists, and cultural figures from across the country. This included the likes of Rohit Shetty, Anand L. Rai, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Dil Raju, Manoj Tiwari, Navraj Hans, Manmohan Shetty, Khushbu Sundar, Lakshmi Manchu, Ankur Garg, and Vishnu Vardhan Induri, reinforcing a broad spectrum of voices in the industry. The Producers Guild of India is the Chief Patron of this initiative.

Vishnu Vardhan Induri, the Founder of INCA, emphasized, “INCA is being built with intent, integrity, and purpose. Our goal is to create a permanent national institution that enables collaboration across industries, celebrates excellence fairly, and builds a universal talent database for Indian cinema.”

Shibasish Sarkar, President of the Producers Guild of India, added, “INCA represents an important step towards institutionalizing collaboration, credibility, and transparent processes in building a unified awards platform that celebrates all Indian languages equally and credibly. The Guild is pleased to support this initiative as Chief Patron.”

The first edition of the INCA Awards is slated to take place on March 9, marking a significant milestone in the establishment of this new national institution.

The Indian National Cine Academy aims to go beyond merely serving as an awards platform. It envisions a national ecosystem for Indian cinema that includes an annual Cinema Conclave, a transparent and process-driven awards framework, and the creation of a universal database of actors, technicdigihunt, and creative professionals across twelve Indian film industries. This database aims to facilitate cross-industry and cross-regional collaboration, ultimately strengthening the Indian film ecosystem.

Hollywood actor Paul Mescal has shared his astonishment at the level of “agency” he possesses as a performer in the industry.

Early Career and Passion Projects

The Hamnet star has engaged in passion projects early on in his career, attributing this to his clear-minded approach to the industry, as reported by ‘Female First UK’.

Paul remarked to Collider, “I think the thing that has surprised me is that you have more agency as an actor than you think you do if you know what films you want to make. I’ve always assumed that there’s this kind of success, and then you are suddenly in ‘Fast and Furious 12’. And it was weird, those things never came my way, actually, because I never really went looking for them.”

Control and Access in Filmmaking

He elaborated, “That’s what I mean by the control you have. If you know what you want to make, and you know who you want to work with, it’s a wild privilege because you have access. You can set up a meeting with Chloe Zhao in the mountains in Telluride and have a conversation, and that’s really exciting, but it also feels like you have agency. Because I was always afraid that the concept of Hollywood takes that agency away, and I’m sure it does for some actors.”

Globalized Hollywood

At 29, Paul Mescal believes that “Hollywood actors” are now more global than ever before. He mentioned, “When you don’t grow up in the ecosystem of that, like I grew up in Maynooth, it’s not like growing up in London and having actors and the industry around you. I suppose being an actor in London, to me, feels the same as being an actor in Hollywood.”

He added, “I think the world is kind of becoming more globalised, and it feels like you can be a ‘Hollywood actor,’ in inverted commas, kind of anywhere in the world now, which is cool.”

Actor Silambarasan, affectionately known as Simbu by his fans, has shared a motivational message for actor Vijay, emphasizing that setbacks have never held him back. Simbu remarked that Vijay has overcome greater challenges, encouraging him by stating, “This too shall pass. The real Thiruvizha begins on the day #Jananayagan releases.”

Simbu took to his social media to express support for Vijay, whose highly anticipated film ‘Jana Nayagan’ has faced a delay due to pending clearance from the Censor Board.

In a statement regarding the postponement, KVN Productions expressed their disappointment, stating, “It is with a heavy heart that we share this update with our valued stakeholders and audiences. The release of ‘Jana Nayagan’, which was eagerly awaited on January 9, has been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control.”

They further expressed their understanding of the anticipation and emotions surrounding the film, stating, “This decision has not been an easy one for any of us. The new release date will be announced at the earliest. Until then, we humbly request your patience and continued love. Your unwavering support is our greatest strength and means everything to the entire Jana Nayagan team.”

Earlier, actor Ravi Mohan also conveyed his support for Vijay, sharing on X, “Heartbroken @actorvijay Anna… As a brother, I’m standing with you as one among the millions of brothers beside you. You don’t need a date. You are the opening. Whenever that date is… Pongal only starts then. #istandwithvijayanna.”

Actress Divya Dutta, known for her roles in films like ‘Badlapur’, ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, and ‘Veer-Zaara’, recently shared a “therapeutic” experience she had with her best friend.

Beach Vibes with a BFF

On her Instagram, Divya posted a video capturing the beach vibes she enjoyed with her friend. In her caption, she expressed her feelings about the day: “There’s nothing more therapeutic than an impromptu plan with your college bestie… reminisce all the craziness and relive it…and realize that nothing changed… supervfun, mad two days with you, @poonam_grover10! This should now be a habit.”

Celebrating 21 Years of ‘Veer-Zaara’

Recently, Divya took a nostalgic trip down memory lane, celebrating 21 years of Yash Chopra’s timeless classic ‘Veer-Zaara’. She shared a series of memorable stills from the film, reflecting on how it changed her life.

In her heartfelt message, she wrote, “21 glorious years… of #VeerZaara! A film that got me so much love and yes… stardom. I have grown up on #YashChopra movies, and it was my biggest desire to be directed by him. A big thank you to #AdityaChopra and @yrf for the most memorable role. I didn’t foresee the love #Shabbo would receive… But they had a bigger vision for me! This film has amazing memories! This film walks with me hand in hand wherever I go… 21 years of receiving that love and many, many more to come… And a big shout-out to the most amazing people I found on this set. @iamsrk @ranimukerji.”

The photos she shared featured herself with Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, and veteran actress Kiron Kher, capturing some of the most heartfelt moments from the film, including an emotional rain sequence and tender sisterly scenes with Preeti that remain etched in her memory.

Directed by the legendary Yash Chopra and produced under Yash Raj Films, ‘Veer-Zaara’ was released on November 12, 2004. The movie beautifully explored themes of love and sacrifice that transcend borders.

In the wake of the low-budget Tamil film ‘Salliyargal’ facing challenges in securing enough screens and the postponement of Vijay’s ‘Jana Nayagan’ due to delayed Censor Board clearance, top Tamil director Karthik Subbaraj has voiced his concerns. He has called for unity among industry members to save cinema.

Taking to his X timeline, Subbaraj shared his thoughts through a post titled “Some Thoughts Just as a Lover of CINEMA!!”.

Challenges Facing Tamil Cinema

He highlighted several critical issues currently affecting Tamil films. He noted, “No theatres for a low-budget Indie film #Salliyargal. Censor delay causing postponement of a big-budget film like Vijay sir’s #JanaNayagan, which was slated to release tomorrow. Bookings are still not open in many centers due to certification issues for another big film, #Parasakthi, set to release day after tomorrow… Tough times for cinema!!”

Subbaraj emphasized the need for theatres to support indie films more robustly. He stated, “Big satellite and OTT players are not keen to buy indie films, leaving theatres as the only source of revenue for low-budget films… Not giving theatres for these movies literally means killing cinema!!”

Censorship Pressures on Big Budget Films

The director also pointed out the difficulties big-budget films face with strict Censor timelines both in India and overseas. He remarked that these timelines create undue pressure during post-production, particularly for films with already announced release dates.

He explained, “With current timeline rules for both Indian and overseas censors, the ideal time for a film to be fully completed is three months before the release date, which is highly impossible for many reasons. This needs to be streamlined and made easier for filmmakers, producers, and stars. Otherwise, postponements of major films during festival times will ultimately harm the industry!”

A Call for Unity

In closing, Subbaraj issued a passionate appeal for unity within the film industry. He urged, “Please let’s all set aside fan wars, political reasons, personal agendas, and hate campaigns, and come together to do something positive to save the art… Save cinema.”

Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor Khan recently opened up about how she trains her children, Taimur Ali Khan and Jehangir Ali Khan, to pose for photographs during their holidays.

Kareena reshared a humorous post on her social media that said, “Parents forcing their kids to take holiday pictures like: ‘Sit your butt down, smile, don’t pick your nose — and if you don’t behave: no ice cream…and then posting captions like, ‘The reason I breathe.’” She added her own comment, “Me Me Me!!!,” indicating that she also encourages her kids to strike a pose while on vacation.

The actress, along with her husband Saif Ali Khan and their kids, are enjoying their time on a luxurious getaway. Kareena has been sharing numerous fun-filled photos and videos from this exotic trip.

As the New Year approached, she reflected on the challenges of 2025, describing it as a difficult year for her family. While sharing a lovely picture of herself with Saif, she expressed, “As we sit down and reflect on the fact that we made it to the last day of the year… we walked this far.”

Kareena provided insights on the lessons learned during 2025. She stated, “2025 has been a difficult year for us, our children, and our families… But we went through it, heads held high, laughing and holding on. We cried a lot, we prayed, and now we are here… 2025 taught us that human nature is fearless, love will conquer all, and that children are braver than we think.”

She expressed her gratitude to fans and loved ones for their unwavering support, saying, “We want to thank our fans, our friends, and everyone who stood by us and continues to support us… and above all, the lord almighty.” As the Khan family prepares to welcome 2026, Kareena emphasized their sense of gratitude and positivity.

“We are entering 2026 with a renewed fire in our bellies, immense gratitude and positivity, and an undying passion for what we do best… the movies… Like I always say, CHAR DI KALA. Happy New Year, everyone…!”

For those unaware, Kareena’s husband, Saif Ali Khan, was attacked by a burglar at their residence in January 2025, resulting in hospitalization for nearly 10 days due to multiple stab wounds and a spinal injury.

Bollywood star Alia Bhatt has praised the Ranveer Singh starrer “Dhurandhar” on her social media account. She shared a post from her production house, Eternal Sunshine, emphasizing the film’s significance in Indian cinema.

Epic Recognition

The post declared “Dhurandhar” as the “number one chapter in the history of Indian cinema,” stating, “It’s the voice of today’s India. It’s the choice of today’s India. It’s based on a chapter in history. And now it’s the number one chapter in India’s cinema history.”

It continued with enthusiastic acknowledgment, “Cheers to Dhurandhar. And three cheers to the ENTIRE team. You not only created waves. You brought the high tide back to the theatres. If this is what part one did in winter, imagine what part two will bring in spring!!!”

Record-Breaking Success

For those who may not know, “Dhurandhar,” featuring Ranveer Singh, has shattered multiple box office records and has emerged as the highest-grossing Indian film of all time in a single language.

Recently, Yash Raj Films, a prestigious production banner, celebrated this achievement on social media, describing the film as a “milestone moment in Indian cinema.” Their post commended the team for its extraordinary performance at the ticket counters, stating, “DHURANDHAR is not a film… it’s a milestone moment in Indian cinema that will be remembered forever. Congratulations to Aditya Dhar and Jio Studios for becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time (in a single language) (sic).”

Praise for Aditya Dhar

The post also lauded filmmaker Aditya Dhar, recognizing him for establishing a new benchmark in Indian entertainment. It praised him for his “clarity of purpose, fearless storytelling, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”

Moreover, it expressed gratitude to the cast and crew, stating, “You are the Dhurandhars who made the thought of the film explode so loudly and so gloriously on the big screen. Thank you for giving us cinema that inspires us to strive forward in the pursuit of creative excellence.”

Ranveer’s Emotional Note

Expressing his delight over the film’s reception, lead actor Ranveer Singh wrote, “My beloved Alma Mater ❤️ only ever wanted to make you proud (sic).”

Film Details

“Dhurandhar,” supported by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar under the banners of Jio Studios and B62 Studios, features an impressive cast including Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal. The film was released on 5 December 2025.

Actress Akanksha Puri is all set for the release of her latest song, ‘Kamar 28’.

The actress is excited to kick off the new year on a high note with her upcoming track featuring singer Neelkamal, which is scheduled to drop today under a prominent music label.

A Special Friendship

Speaking about her relationship with Neelkamal, Akanksha shared, “We share a very special friendship. He is extremely creative, and I truly enjoy shooting with him. We plan everything in advance from outfits and hairstyles to colour themes, which makes our shoots even more exciting. I love his involvement and dedication.”

A Personal Touch

Akanksha revealed that ‘Kamar 28’ holds a unique significance for her. “Neelkamal has specially written this song keeping me in mind, and that’s what makes it so close to me. Every lyric feels relatable and personal,” she mentioned.

Popular On-Screen Pair

Akanksha and Neelkamal have quickly become one of the most adored on-screen pairs recently. Their previous collaborations have broken multiple records on social media, with their reels garnering massive engagement.

Upcoming Releases

With four more songs lined up over the next four months, Akanksha is preparing for a streak of back-to-back music releases.

Rising Fame

Akanksha gained widespread recognition through her appearance on Bigg Boss OTT, particularly due to her kiss with co-contestant Jad Hadid, which sparked significant public interest.

She also won the reality show Mika Di Vohti, which aired in 2022, focused on singer Mika Singh seeking a life partner. However, after the show concluded, both clarified that they were not in a romantic relationship and decided to remain good friends.