Category: Entertainment

Director Ganesh Babu, famed for his critically acclaimed superhit film ‘Dada’, has officially announced the launch of his own production house. The inaugural project will be a political satire directed by Dhina Raghavan, featuring Gautham Ram Karthik in the lead role.

Launch of ‘Draft by GKB’

The newly established production house, named ‘Draft by GKB’, kicked off its first venture—Production No. 1—through a traditional pooja ceremony attended by notable filmmakers such as H. Vinoth, Raju Murugan, and producer Five Star K Senthil.

Ganesh K Babu expressed the significance of this venture on his X timeline, stating, “This isn’t just a banner. It’s a piece of me. A small dream I carried silently, a dream that kept growing with every film I watched, every story that moved me, every moment that pushed me closer to who I want to be. Today, with a full heart, I’m happy to announce my own Production House. DRAFT BY GKB@draftbygkb. Here begins a new journey.”

Directorial Debut of Dhina Raghavan

Director Dhina Raghavan, making his directorial debut with this film, is associated with Director Raju Murugan. He is well-regarded for his clear vision, strong sense of satire, and fresh creative approach—qualities that make him the perfect fit for this genre.

Star-studded Cast and Crew

In addition to Gautham Karthik, the film will feature ace director Selvaraghavan in a groundbreaking character that is set to intrigue audiences.

Important roles will also be played by Anchana Nethrun, Robbie, P. Vasu, A. Venkatesh, Maaran, Indhumathi, Aditya Kathir, and Bakkiyam Sankar.

On the technical side, the film will have music composed by Sam CS, with dialogues written by Raju Murugan. The cinematography will be handled by Pratheep Kaliraja, while Tha. Ramalingam will oversee art direction. Editing will be done by Deepak.

Actress Shefali Shah delivered a nuanced yet compelling performance as a repressed housewife in the short film “Juice.”

Inspiration Behind “Juice”

During the IFP 15, Shefali shared an intriguing insight into the creative process behind “Juice,” highlighting how a cue from “Kill Bill” inspired the film’s intense ending. “It’s one of the most powerful films that has been made. And it kind of explains years and years of what our mothers, grandmothers, and still some of us do,” she explained.

Shefali emphasized a pivotal moment—the film’s last scene—where the influence of “Kill Bill” shifted something within her. “Our director, Neeraj Ghaywan, made me hear the soundtrack that was playing in Kill Bill, where she’s in the coffin, and she’s hitting that thing to try getting out. That was the soundtrack,” shared the actress known for her role in “Three of Us.”

Impact of “Delhi Crime”

Further, Shefali reflected on the transformative impact of her acclaimed series, “Delhi Crime.” She pointed out how the show has broken stereotypes, noting, “Some years ago, if somebody had told me that a woman in her mid-40s who is not conventionally good-looking is going to headline a show or play the lead, I would have laughed. And if they had said it’s going to be you, I would have laughed louder.”

She also expressed a deep connection with her character Vartika from “Delhi Crime,” saying, “I was just really lucky that I got to play Vartika, and she is probably a character that’s closest to me — that has given me probably much more than my entire career.”

The latest season, “Delhi Crime 3,” premiered on November 13, focusing on a human trafficking case led by DCP Vartika Chaturvedi, played by Shefali.

Actor Silambarasan, the lead in director Vetrimaaran’s highly anticipated action entertainer ‘Arasan’, recently delighted his fans by sharing a sneak peek of his latest look.

Posting a striking image on his X timeline, Silambarasan, also known as Simbu, expressed, “As per my fans’ request” accompanied by a heart emoji.

Fan Excitement

The reveal has thrilled his fans, who believe this rugged look is what Simbu will don in ‘Arasan’. Many have urged him to swiftly wrap up the film.

High Expectations for ‘Arasan’

Several factors have contributed to the immense anticipation surrounding this project:

• Collaboration: This marks the first collaboration between Simbu and acclaimed director Vetrimaran.
• Production: The film is being produced by the esteemed Kalaipuli S Thanu, a significant name in Tamil cinema.
• Star Cast: Recently, it was announced that Vijay Sethupathi has joined the project, further elevating excitement. The filmmakers welcomed him aboard just days ago.

Promo Insights

A promo released by the makers presents a light-hearted beginning, featuring director Nelson as himself. In a riveting exchange, Simbu confides in Nelson, reminding him that the narrative is based on real cases, urging a disclaimer to avoid potential complications. Simbu mentions, “I’m saying this only because most of the cases about which I am going to tell you are still under trial,” indicating the serious nature of the story.

As the promo unfolds, Simbu’s character faces grave accusations in court. Initially denying involvement in three murders, the subsequent scenes portray a starkly different reality, suggesting he may indeed be tied to the gruesome acts.

Untold Stories and Connections

The promotional material hints at an untold story from the ‘Vada Chennai’ universe. This title was confirmed by the filmmakers not long ago.

‘Arasan’ will also star Andrea Jeremiah, Samuthirakani, and Kishore in significant roles, with music composed by Anirudh.

Director Vetrimaran recently clarified that ‘Arasan’ is distinct from the much-anticipated sequel ‘Vada Chennai 2’, although it will be set within the same world.

Fans eagerly await the film’s release, anticipating a thrilling narrative that intertwines reality with cinematic storytelling.

Actor Ayushmann Khurrana has expressed his gratitude to the legendary footballer David Beckham for his unwavering efforts on issues such as children’s safety and gender empowerment in India.

Taking to the Stories section of his Instagram, Ayushmann wrote, “Children’s safety and gender empowerment is a global issue that needs immediate attention. David works relentlessly alongside me to bring these issues into public consciousness.”

Welcoming Beckham to the country, the ‘Dream Girl’ actor added, “Always a pleasure having you here @davidbeckham—India welcomes you with love and appreciation for your constant support towards our country.”

Recently, during Beckham’s visit to a school in Visakhapatnam, Ayushmann mentioned, “David Beckham is an icon who leads from the front to bring focus to so many societal issues that affect people worldwide.”

Applauding the former England captain’s dedication to India and social causes, the ‘Badhaai Ho’ actor shared, “It is incredible to see his commitment to social good and his love for India. His visits to our country inspire people to do good and bring global attention to our needs. He is a true friend of India.”

He further expressed, “I’m deeply thankful for his efforts. It is truly a pleasure to be advocating for the same causes as fellow UNICEF ambassadors.”

Ayushmann serves as the UNICEF India National Ambassador, while Beckham is the Goodwill Ambassador. Together, they are working to spread awareness on these important issues.

On the work front, Ayushmann will soon appear alongside Sara Ali Khan and Wamiqa Gabbi in the highly anticipated film “Pati Patni Aur Woh Do.” Directed by Mudassar Aziz, the film is set for a Holi release on March 4 next year.

Comedian Bharti Singh is excitedly preparing to welcome her second child. Before the arrival of Baby Limbachiya, she celebrated with a stunning pregnancy photoshoot, showcasing her beauty in a blue silk gown adorned with large white flowers set against netting.

In keeping with an elegant style, Bharti opted for minimal accessories, sporting only a pair of earrings, while styling her hair in a middle part with a half tie. Her makeup featured a warm brown lipstick and light smoky eyes that complemented her look perfectly.

In a touching moment captured in the photo, Bharti placed a hand protectively on her baby bump, framed by a lovely backdrop. She shared her delightful news on social media, stating, “2nd Baby Limbachiya coming soon… (Baby emoji) Shoot Concept & Styled By PR @dinky_nirh…Shot By @neelamvyasphotography (sic).”

In her recent YouTube vlog, Bharti expressed concern about rising sugar levels during her pregnancy. She mentioned, “My sugars have rapidly increased, especially the fasting sugars; they usually are never so high. I am definitely going to be scolded by the doctor today.”

Concerned about the sudden spike in her sugar levels, Bharti shared her frustration, stating, “I am confused because I did not eat anything that would trigger my sugars or increase them, nor am I in any stress. I have been extremely particular about my diet; I only eat millets and have completely cut off rotis and rice and other forms of carbs, so I don’t know why my sugar has come so high, and I am extremely worried because I don’t know. I just want that it shouldn’t affect my baby in any way.”

Bharti also mentioned feeling anxious as her husband, Haarsh Limbaachiya, was away in Dubai for work. She expressed her feelings, saying, “Haarsh is not in town; he had to leave for Dubai for some work last night, and I am just feeling so lost right now.”

Actor Vemal, the lead in director Dhinesh Kalaiselvan’s upcoming action thriller ‘Mahasenha’, recently shared his unique experience with an elephant he acted alongside. To build rapport with the animal, he fed it jalebis, aiming to befriend it.

Film Overview

Produced by Marudham Productions, ‘Mahasenha’ is an action thriller intertwined with themes of nature, spirituality, and forest mythology. The cast includes notable actors such as Srushti Dange, Yogi Babu, Mahima Gupta, John Vijay, Kabir Duhan Singh, Alfred Jose, Ilakkiya, and Vijay Siyon. A key character in the film is Sena, the elephant, which plays an important and symbolic role.

Shooting with an Elephant

In an exclusive conversation, Vemal revealed, “There is a portion in the film in which I had to shoot with this elephant. We shot the elephant portions of this film completely in Kerala. Initially, I was a little scared to act with the elephant because that was the time there were news reports that an elephant had crushed two people to death at Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu.”

Despite his initial fears, he found comfort in the elephant’s training. “It was a well-trained elephant, and the owner and its mahout kept giving me confidence. I was told by the owner and the mahout that the elephant loved jalebis, so before every shot, I would feed it jalebis to befriend it,” shared the actor.

Mystical Adventure Ahead

Sources mention that the film’s audio was launched recently and promises to be a mystical and emotionally charged adventure.

Written and directed by Dhinesh Kalaiselvan, ‘Mahasenha’ will delve into the timeless struggle between divine natural forces and human greed, set against the backdrop of the forests of Gudalur, Wayanad, Kollimalai, and Ooty.

Director’s Vision

Speaking about the project, Director Dhinesh Kalaiselvan elaborated, “Mahasenha is not just a film about the jungle — it’s a story about faith, power, and the harmony between man and nature. I wanted to explore how greed disturbs this divine balance and how spirituality restores it. Every frame reflects our respect for nature and the belief that divinity exists in every living being. The forest itself is a character — alive, emotional, and powerful.”

Technical Aspects

The film aims to provide a visually rich cinematic experience, merging real forest landscapes with stunning CGI artistry while offering a deeply emotional human narrative.

On the technical side, the film features background music by Uday Prakash and cinematography by D R Manas Babu. Editing is handled by Nagooran Ramasandiran, with stunts choreographed by Ram Kumar. The dances are choreographed by Dastha and Ameer, while art direction is managed by V.S. Dinesh Kumar.

Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi recently participated in a session at the IFP season 15, titled ‘Rooted in Reality.’ This candid discussion allowed him to delve into the ‘spiritual truth’ within filmmaking, his unique acting process, and the significance of heartland stories. He also shared insights about his favorite Indian films and actors.

Exploring Roles

When asked about the types of roles he is eager to explore, Siddhant expressed, “If I had to pick, I would always pick the grey character zone. I feel like I like unpredictability, where you do not know what’s going to happen.”

Addressing Competition

On the topic of competition from content creators, Siddhant didn’t hold back. He acknowledged the changing landscape, saying, “If you are saying that we have competition, yes, we do. But back in the day, we had so many leading stars – Bachchan Saab, Dharamji, Rajendra Kumar, Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Shammi ji, Rishi ji, and Sanjeev Kumar. Even then, there was competition to hold attention. Because there was no other medium. But I feel a good film will always sustain, and good content will always stay with you.”

Access for Writers

Siddhant shifted the conversation to a critical issue—the lack of access for writers outside the Mumbai bubble. He articulated the need for diverse narratives, stating, “The writers are not getting access – as much access as we want. We need stories from tier 2 and tier 3. And not only messy stories, but we need a lot of stories like Laapataa Ladies. Those writers are not getting access because the whole industry is concentrated in Bombay. And in Bombay also, it’s Juhu, Bandra, or max Andheri. So if a writer from Bhopal, Gwalior, Ballia, or Banaras comes here, I don’t think he’ll get access. Because maybe he doesn’t know English.”

Disconnection from Hindi Cinema

Reflecting on the current disconnection audiences feel from mainstream Hindi cinema, Siddhant provided a straightforward explanation. He pointed out, “Today, Hindi actors and actresses, whenever there are interviews in Hindi – if you watch any interview – it starts in Hindi. And after saying two lines in Hindi, they don’t even realise when they subconsciously switch to English. So the audience gets disconnected. Our young audiences, Gen Z, already have access to Netflix, Korean cinema, and Hollywood. But I think they will also appreciate something like Laapataa Ladies, which shows them the culture.”

Praise for Gen Z

Siddhant complimented Gen Z, saying, “I think Gen Z is the smartest. They can point out the truth. They know if a story is coming from the right passion or truth, or not. I feel our cinema needs to get back to its glory. We need to just have more access to the heartland of India.”

Upcoming Projects

On the professional front, Siddhant is eagerly looking forward to his upcoming movie, Do Deewane Seher Mein, which stars Mrunal Thakur. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film is set for release on February 20, 2026, during Valentine’s week. Recently, Siddhant shared on social media that he faced personal struggles while shooting for “Do Deewane Seher Mein.” He noted that the film’s journey was not only creatively challenging but also personally healing.

He remarked, “Do Deewane Seher mein— A film so close to my heart. I’ll be honest… I was going through something of my own while shooting for this one. And the journey somewhere healed me…. I hope it does the same to you… They say there’s no such thing as perfect; all you need is someone imperfect worth fighting for… See us at our most vulnerable selves, all heart, the perfect misfits, a cute mess coming to theaters this Valentine’s.”

Television’s beloved “Chotti Bahu,” Rubina Dilaik, recently celebrated her twin daughters, Edhaa and Jeeva’s, 2nd birthday on November 27.

November: A Month of Joy

For Rubina, November is a time dedicated to her little bundles of joy. She shared delightful photos and videos from the beachside birthday celebration on social media.

The images showcased a beautifully arranged long table at the beach, decorated with vibrant flowers, balloons, and cushions. A large sign reading ‘2’ and ‘Happy Birthday’ was displayed nearby, with enchanting lights enhancing the festive atmosphere.

The celebration was a wholesome affair, featuring family gathered for cake cutting, relaxing by the beach, enjoying a pool party, and the baby girls playing in the gaming zone with their dad.

In her social media post, Rubina expressed, “November is a very special month, a month dedicated to our daughters! A month filled with blessings and lessons….. #E&J (Red heart emoji) (sic).”

Family First

Rubina and her husband, Abhinav Shukla, have consciously decided to raise their daughters in Shimla under the care of Rubina’s parents, ensuring they grow up in a clean and natural environment.

Recent Success

On the work front, Rubina and Abhinav emerged as winners of the show, “Dhamaal With Pati Patni Aur Panga.” Reflecting on their journey, they shared, “’Dhamaal With Pati Patni Aur Panga’ was a superb way for us to spend time together without life rushing by us. As a couple, we’re far from perfect, and we, along with other couples, were very candid about our blind spots, and that was super liberating.

Winning this trophy is extremely special; it’s the result of all the love we’ve received from the viewers and the supportive spirit of every couple who made this journey so much fun. We want to thank COLORS and the makers of this show for creating a space that was honest, warm, and full of heart. Our deepest gratitude to Sonali ma’am and Munawar for their love, gentleness, humour, and guidance.”

The makers of director Anil Ravipudi’s much-awaited mass family entertainer “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu,” featuring Megastar Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara in lead roles, have begun filming an exciting dance number starring Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh.

Stylish Dance Number Begins Filming

Sources close to the unit indicate that the filming of a stylish dance sequence featuring Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh has kicked off in Gachibowli. This marks the first time both stars will be seen performing together in a grand celebration number.

Electrifying Beats and a Carnival Atmosphere

Bheems Ceciroleo has composed an energetic dance track with electrifying beats. The sources revealed that this song includes over 500 dancers, turning the set into a lively carnival filled with color, rhythm, and vibrant energy.

Building Anticipation Among Fans

The infectious energy, nonstop cheers, and the magical chemistry between Chiranjeevi and Venkatesh are expected to make this song a favorite among fans and cinema lovers alike.

The team is also preparing to release a soulful romantic track featuring Chiranjeevi and Nayanthara soon.

High Expectations Surround the Film

Initially referred to as #Mega157, this film has generated huge anticipation, as Nayanthara will share screen space with Chiranjeevi for the third time after “Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy” and “Godfather.”

Moreover, fans are thrilled as Venkatesh will appear in a cameo. This collaboration marks the first time both actors will be seen together in a film.

Top-Notch Production Team

Produced by Sahu Garapati and Sushmita Konidela under Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainments, with Smt. Archana as the presenter, the film boasts a talented technical team.

Bheems Ceciroleo is responsible for the music score, while Sameer Reddy serves as cinematographer. The editing responsibilities are handled by Tammiraju, and A S Prakash is the art director. The executive producer is S Krishna, who, along with G Adi Narayana, co-wrote the film’s story. “Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu” is slated for release during Sankranti 2026.

With just two weeks to go for the mini-auction of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL), West Indies cricketer Andre Russell has announced his retirement from the tournament.

Shah Rukh Khan’s Heartfelt Tribute

Bollywood superstar and owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders, Shah Rukh Khan, paid a heartfelt tribute to Andre on social media as he steps into a new role as KKR’s power coach. Andre is joining Abhishek Nayar’s coaching setup alongside Shane Watson and Tim Southee.

SRK expressed that Andre will be sharing his extensive experience and powerful gameplay with the younger generation. Reacting to Andre’s retirement announcement video, King Khan wrote on a micro-blogging site, “Thank you for the wonderful memories, Andre. Our Knight in shining armour!!! Your contribution to @KKRiders is one for the books… (sic).”

A New Chapter for Andre Russell

Discussing Andre’s transition to the role of power coach, Shah Rukh added, “And here’s to another chapter in your fantastic journey as a sportsman… The power coach – passing down the wisdom, the muscle and of course the power down to our boys in purple and gold… And yes, any other jersey would indeed look weird on you my man… Muscle Russell for life! Love u… on behalf of the team and everyone who loves the sport!!”

In the video, Andre shared that he had several conversations with Shah Rukh before accepting this new position.

Andre’s Legacy with KKR

For those who may not know, Shah Rukh has owned KKR since 2008, alongside actress Juhi Chawla’s husband, Jay Mehta, who is also a partner in the team. Throughout his time with the Kolkata Knight Riders, Andre scored 2,593 runs and took 122 wickets. Earlier this year, the all-rounder had announced his retirement from international cricket.