Category: Entertainment

Superstar Rajinikanth celebrated New Year’s Day by unveiling the first look of the upcoming sci-fi thriller ‘ROOT’ – Running Out Of Time, directed by Sooriyaprathap S. The film stars Gautham Ram Karthik in the lead role, much to the excitement of fans.

Gautham Ram Karthik shared the first look poster on social media, expressing his exhilaration over having his idol Rajinikanth release it. He wrote, “As far as blessings go, having my idol, the legendary Super Star, Rajinikanth sir releasing the first look poster for our project, ROOT, is truly an unbelievable experience. What a surreal way to start 2026! Truly feeling blessed and grateful! With his blessings, ROOT steps into a timeless journey! #Rootfirstlook.”

The film has generated significant anticipation for multiple reasons. Notably, it marks the Tamil debut of Bollywood actor Aparshakti Khurana, who plays a crucial role and has even dubbed his portions in Tamil.

Verus Productions, the team behind the film, recently announced on social media that “@aparshakti_khurana has completed his Tamil dubbing for #Root. First time in Tamil. First time for Tamil. @aparshakti_khurana voices ROOT. And ROOT voices back. He gave it his all — and boom, the dubbing is over! Introducing @aparshakti_khurana to Tamil. And Tamil to @aparshakti_khurana!”

The film’s unit had previously confirmed on November 1 that shooting for ‘ROOT’ was complete. Director Sooriyaprathap S shared, “We’ve officially wrapped ‘ROOT’! The making of this film has been an unforgettable journey, and we’ve invested our hearts and hard work into creating a memorable experience for the audience. We can’t wait to share it with you all.”

He expressed his gratitude, saying, “A big thanks to our hero Gautham Ram Karthik; his energy, dedication, and commitment made this journey truly special. I’m deeply grateful to my producers, our wonderful cast and crew for their immense support and encouragement. A special shout-out to Bollywood star Aparshakti Khurana, whose presence and involvement have been a great strength to the film. We’re truly excited as we move into post-production and can’t wait to bring ROOT to you soon!”

The film also features actress Bhavya Trikha in the female lead role, alongside veteran actor Y Gee Mahendran in a significant part.

Produced by Dhanishtan Fernando, Rajarajan Gananasambandam, Sanjai Shankar, and Shaik Mujeeb under the Verus Productions banner, ‘ROOT’ promises to be an edge-of-the-seat thriller.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar’s niece, Simar Bhatia, has made her entrance into the entertainment industry with the release of her debut film “Ikkis.”

A Grateful Beginning

Simar chose to kick off her career with an expression of gratitude, thanking her mother, family, and teachers for shaping who she is today.

Praises for Direction

In her reflections on “Ikkis,” Simar expressed her admiration for director Sriram Raghavan, commending him for his patience as she stepped into the cinematic world. She shared an emotional message on Instagram, stating, “An incredibly special blessing. A beginning I would not have even known how to pray for. To my director, @sriram.raghavanofficial, it is an honour to be introduced into the world of cinema by you. Thank you for your gentleness, patience, and love for storytelling. That passion is something I carry forward.”

Support from Co-stars

Simar also acknowledged her co-star Agastya Nanda, who is making his debut alongside her, expressing her appreciation for sharing this journey. She wrote, “Aggy, I have grown so fond of you. You are truly incredible in this film. I can’t wait for the world to witness the greatness of 2/Lt Arun Khetrapal through you. Thank you for making this journey feel shared, never lonely.”

Acknowledgement of the Team

The young actress extended her gratitude to the entire team behind “Ikkis,” highlighting their significant contributions to bringing the project to fruition.

What “Ikkis” Means to Simar

Simar shared that “IKKIS is not just a film to me. It means I am finally getting the chance to do the one thing I dared to dream of doing. Your reassurance and courage in giving me a beginning is something I will always honour.”

Looking Forward to 2026

Looking ahead, she expressed hope that 2026 will be a year of expression, encouraging everyone to tell their loved ones that they are cherished.

Simar concluded her heartfelt note with the saying, “Mann Neevan. Matt Ucchi (Simple living high thinking).”

The makers of director Madhan’s upcoming romantic entertainer, ‘With Love,’ featuring ‘Tourist Family’ director Abishan Jeevinth and Anaswara Rajan in leading roles, have announced that the film will be released on February 6 this year.

High Expectations

This film is generating significant buzz as it is produced by Superstar Rajinikanth’s daughter, Soundarya Rajinikanth, alongside producer Magesh Raj Pasilian.

Announcing the release date on her X timeline, Soundarya expressed her excitement: “A new year brings a new feeling… and new love. #WithLove arrives in cinemas worldwide from Feb 06. Starring @Abishanjeevinth, @AnaswaraRajan_. A @RSeanRoldan musical. Written and Directed by @madhann_n. Produced by @soundaryaarajni, @mageshraj.”

Special Teaser Release

It’s worth mentioning that the film’s title teaser was released by none other than Rajinikanth himself. Sharing his heartfelt wishes on X, he said, “Wishing my daughter @soundaryaarajni and the entire team of the film #WithLove all the very best. God bless. @mageshraj.” In response, Soundarya acknowledged his support: “Biggest blessing ever. Thank you so much appa. You are my life!”

Teaser Highlights

The teaser opens with Abishan Jeevinth’s character, Sathya, calling a friend while Anaswara Rajan, portraying Monisha, is present. Sathya loses his temper when his friend answers the call. Monisha calmly inquires if the person on the line has the contact of someone named Anisha, prompting Sathya to angrily yell, “She’s my fiancée. You shut up and speak!”

In another scene, Monisha attempts to explain to Sathya the difference between suspicion and possessiveness, advising him that his possessiveness should be shown subtly through actions. Sathya, clearly baffled, pleads with her not to expect anything specific from him. This interaction indicates their contrasting personalities.

Production Updates

For those unaware, production on the film has already wrapped up. Sources close to the unit revealed that filming took place in Chennai and Trichy. With shooting completed, post-production is now progressing swiftly.

Originally referred to as #PRNO4, the film has been attracting attention as it marks Abishan Jeevinth’s debut as an actor. Previously, he directed the successful film ‘Tourist Family,’ which starred Sasikumar and Simran. That venture was made on a modest budget and earned over 90 crores at the box office, exceeding the expectations of both critics and fans.

Technical Team

The film boasts an impressive technical team. Music is composed by acclaimed Tamil film music director Sean Roldan, while cinematography is handled by Shreyaas Krishna, and editing is conducted by Suresh Kumar. Art direction is managed by Raj Kamal, and costumes are designed by Priya Ravi.

Actress Nimrat Kaur welcomed 2026 by spending time in a tiger reserve, making the first day of the year truly memorable.

The star of ‘The Lunchbox’ took to the wild, where she was fortunate enough to spot her favourite animal, the tiger, on the morning of January 1.

Sharing her experience on Instagram, Nimrat posted a couple of photos and videos from her adventure, writing, “The first sunrise and breakfast after spotting my favourite creature walking this earth, 2026 begins with a royal bang from deep inside the jungles of Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. So grateful and raring to go!! (sic)”

With a determined mindset for the new year, she expressed, “May this year bring bliss, blessings and best of adventures your way! Let’s make each day count… Bring on the next quarter… happy happy new year all @mytadoba @tadobaofficial.” She also teased her followers, promising to share more snippets from her trip soon, saying, “P.S. more on this gorgeous reserve soon!!”

As she wrapped up 2025, Nimrat spent a spiritual moment visiting the Shankaracharya temple in Srinagar. Reflecting on the past year, she shared, “Grateful for all the blessings from the year gone by. Being the last Monday of 2025, sharing a visit to the Shankaracharya temple. May the divine protection and energy of Shivji carry us with love and light into the next year.” Her post included glimpses of her temple visit.

On the professional front, Nimrat was recently featured in the web series “The Family Man 3,” where she played the role of Mira, a character known for its villainous twists. The series, created by Raj & DK, also stars Manoj Bajpayee, Priyamani, Sharad Kelkar, Neeraj Madhav, Sharib Hashmi, Dalip Tahil, Sunny Hinduja, and Shreya Dhanwanthary in pivotal roles.

The next film of actor Pari Elavazhagan, celebrated for his impressive performance in the acclaimed Tamil film ‘Jama’, has officially begun production in Chennai with a grand traditional pooja ceremony.

Production Collaborators

This new project is a joint venture between two prominent production houses: Million Dollar Studios and Neo Castle Creations.

Creative Leadership

Pari Elavazhagan, who has not only penned the story and screenplay but also directed the film, will take on the lead role. The female lead will be portrayed by Ramya Ranganathan, known for her notable work in director Dhanush’s ‘Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam’.

Exciting Comeback

The film also marks the return of former Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Youth Development, Roja, who is making her comeback to the big screen after over 12 years. Alongside her, the ensemble cast includes popular YouTuber Gopi as well as actors Ismath Banu and Sudharshan Gandhi in significant roles.

Technical Expertise

The project boasts a talented technical team. Music will be composed by Bharath Sankar, recognized for his work in ‘Mandela’ and ‘Maaveeran’. Cinematography will be managed by Shelley R Calist, and editing will be handled by Partha. The art direction is led by Mahendran, while lyrics will be written by Mohanrajan and Bakkiyam Sankar.

Story and Audience Focus

Sources associated with the film indicate that the storyline will unfold in Perambur, describing it as a family entertainer designed to appeal to audiences of all ages.

Upcoming Release

With shooting progressing swiftly, the filmmakers are targeting a theatrical release this summer.

Actor Arjun Kapoor’s younger sister, Anshula Kapoor, has shared a heartfelt message urging everyone to take a moment for themselves amidst the usual New Year resolutions and vision boards.

Reflection and Kindness

Anshula highlighted how January often prompts individuals to reflect on their lives, frequently making them feel as if they haven’t quite got things in order.

In a post on her Instagram, she remarked, “It’s the first day of the year and my feed is full of goals and vision boards. Love that. But January has a way of making people feel behind before anything even happens. if you’re sitting there feeling like you don’t have your life together, pause for a second.”

Empathy Towards Oneself

She encouraged followers to treat themselves with the same empathy they would extend to a friend feeling overwhelmed. Anshula stated, “If a friend came to you with the thoughts you’re having right now, you wouldn’t judge them. You’d soften your voice. You’d tell them to breathe. You’d remind them they’re not broken, behind, or failing.”

The contestant from ‘The Traitors’ emphasized the importance of self-compassion, suggesting that sometimes the bravest thing one can do is simply show up as their authentic selves.

Celebrating Milestones

Anshula, who celebrated her birthday on December 29, expressed her gratitude for the warm wishes she received. She wrote, “A year older, a little wiser, very blessed. Thank you to everyone for all the birthday love and wishes. Stepping into the next chapter with gratitude and cake.”

She also shared joyful moments from her birthday celebration, which included her brother Arjun Kapoor, sister Khushi Kapoor, fiancé Rohan Thakkar, and other family members.

Actor, producer, and parliamentarian Kamal Haasan wished his fans and followers a happy new year on social media, encouraging them to embrace the new year as an opportunity to become “better, kinder, and wiser” than the previous one.

Taking to his X timeline, Kamal Haasan wrote, “Another year ahead. Another chance to become better, kinder and wiser than the year before. Excellence is a work in progress. Have an excellent new year. Every tomorrow is a day to be seized. Let all your pursuits make you happy.”

Several top stars, including actors Chiranjeevi and Allu Arjun, extended their new year wishes as well.

Megastar Chiranjeevi posted on social media, “Wishing everyone a joyous and very Happy New Year. Let us welcome this year with positivity, hope, togetherness, and make it a beautiful one for all. Happy New Year 2026.”

Stylish star Allu Arjun, now among the leading figures in the Telugu film industry, shared a heartfelt note on his X timeline, expressing gratitude for the past year.

He wrote, “As this year comes to a close, I carry only gratitude. For the journey, the lessons, and the love that surrounds me.”

Addressing his fans directly, he added, “To my fans… Thank you for standing by me through every phase. Your faith gives me strength and purpose every single day.”

He concluded with optimism, saying, “Looking ahead with excitement, ready to begin what comes next. Happy New Year 2026.”

Tamil actor Pradeep Ranganathan, known for delivering three consecutive blockbusters in Tamil and a superhit film in Telugu, also took to his X timeline to wish his followers a happy new year.

He wrote, “Happy New Year 2026. Nalladhe Nenaipom Nalladhe Nadakum. Manchi ni alochisthe, Manchidhe jarugutundi.” (If our thoughts are good, good things happen.)

Actor Ali Fazal received a heartwarming welcome from his daughter Zuneyra as he returned home after nearly a month away.

In a clip shared on Ali’s Instagram, he proudly showcased his face adorned with colors from his daughter’s fabric paints. Ali mentioned that Zuneyra enjoys painting on furniture, and she took the creativity a step further by using her colors on him.

Ali shared his thoughts on social media, stating, “This is my Daughter’s welcome for me after almost a month out. I got her fabric colors because she likes painting on the furniture, of course, so here’s her stepping up and trying them on me first!! AND I suppose this shall be my war paint to take on the years to come.”

Embracing the changes in his life, Ali added, “To the years gone by… I see your head popping in and out. I raise you some more love and persistence. Times are changing… we move sideways. I start to see everything on the same plane now—the past, the future; it all merges here. Not a fan of the Gregorian, but I must entertain this moment because why not? We all need to look ahead within elsewhere.”

Ali is determined to face life’s challenges alongside his wife, Richa Chadha. He also gave a special shout-out to her, concluding, “@therichachadha – You ready? I almost bought you a sunflower… I’m stepping in myself today… let’s roll this out, partner.”

On the work front, Ali is set to reprise his beloved role as Guddu Bhaiya in the upcoming movie adaptation of the “Mirzapur” franchise.

Actor Sidharth Malhotra has reflected on 2025 as a transformative year filled with significant growth. He acknowledged that his life took a positive turn, bringing about a major shift that infused depth and a gentler strength into his personality.

A Year of Highlights

Sidharth shared a video compilation set to Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” showcasing some of the key moments of 2025 for him.

Major milestones included:

• Supporting his partner, Kiara Advani, during her Met Gala debut.
• Welcoming their daughter, Saraayah Malhotra.
• Shooting for his projects “Param Sundari” and “Vvan.”

In reflecting on 2025, Sidharth expressed his gratitude on social media, stating, “Somewhere between sets and home, life shifted forever and for the better, adding a new depth, a softer strength and a reason to see the world a little differently. Grateful for the growth, the grace, the cinema. Cheers 2025.”

As he steps into 2026, Sidharth carries with him a heart full of gratitude and a clear sense of purpose. He added, “Walking into 2026 with a full heart, a clearer purpose and endless gratitude. Happy New Year, everyone. Big love!”

Kiara Advani’s Reflections

On the same day, Kiara Advani, Sidharth’s partner, shared her own thoughts on 2025, describing it as a year that expanded her heart in unimaginable ways. She treated her Instagram followers to a collection of unseen photos capturing precious moments from the past year.

On her Instagram, she wrote, “2025 – The year my heart expanded in ways I couldn’t imagine, a year of firsts, of learning, of becoming, of evolution and sweetest blessings.” Kiara welcomed 2026 with enthusiasm and gratitude, mentioning, “Hello 2026, my heart is ready for you…Stepping into this new year with gratitude, excitement and the cutest tiny hands that hold my whole world.”

On July 16, 2025, the couple announced the arrival of their baby girl, sharing that her presence has altered their world forever.

Superstar Rajinikanth greeted fans gathered outside his residence, wishing them a happy new year. He also shared a video clip on social media featuring an iconic dialogue from his film ‘Muthu’ as part of his New Year celebration.

Meeting Fans Every New Year

Following his cherished tradition, Rajinikanth met with loyal fans braving inclement weather to celebrate the New Year. The warmth of his interaction was palpable as he expressed his gratitude.

Video Clip from ‘Muthu’

Rajinikanth took to his social media to share a memorable scene from his hit film ‘Muthu.’ In the clip, he rides a chariot alongside actress Meena, who inquires, “The route we are taking is correct, isn’t it?” The superstar responds, “Who knows? I never bother about the route I take. I put my burden on God and take the path my vehicle picks, chanting ‘Shiva!’”

He concluded the video with a heartfelt message, stating, “Wishing you all a very happy new year 2026. God Bless.”

Upcoming Projects

On the work front, Rajinikanth is set to appear in the highly anticipated action thriller ‘Jailer 2,’ directed by Nelson. He recently celebrated his birthday on December 12 while filming on set.

Celebrating a Milestone on Set

Sun Pictures, the production house behind ‘Jailer 2,’ shared a delightful video clip of Rajinikanth’s birthday celebrations on social media. The video showcased the superstar leaving his caravan for the cake-cutting event, greeted warmly by the film’s crew, including director Nelson. A touching moment occurred when Rajinikanth fed cake to Nelson, adding to the joy of the celebration.

Anticipation for ‘Jailer 2’

‘Jailer 2’ has generated significant excitement, building on the success of its predecessor, which grossed around Rs 650 crores, becoming a massive blockbuster.