Actor Nayanthara and her filmmaker husband Vignesh Shivan offered a sneak peek of their home studio in Chennai, transformed from a palatial 7,000-square-ft colonial bungalow. With an old-world British charm with a distinctly modern rustic vibe, the space has been thoughtfully refurbished by designer Nikhita Reddy. Check out the pictures below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Architectural Digest India (@archdigestindia) Inside Nayanthara and Vignesh’s Chennai studio As per Architectural Digest India, the studio is outdoorsy and tropical with a focus on traditional craftsmanship. It includes an earthy colour palette with elements of teak, woven fiber, linen fabric, and rattan. Nayanthara told the outlet, “I wanted to retain the essence of the bungalow while enhancing it to make it brighter by bringing in lots of natural light." “My most favourite part is Vignesh’s studio along with the terrace café lounge where we host guests regularly,” she added. Nayanthara’s work front Nayanthara will be seen in Netflix's 'TEST', a powerful drama that weaves together the lives of three individuals, each grappling with life-changing choices against the backdrop of a cricket match. It also features R Madhavan, Siddharth, and Meera Jasmine. It will be released on April 4. Besides that, the sequel to her film Mookuthi Amman, directed by Sundar C, went on floors on March 6 with a special puja ceremony in Chennai. The first Mookuthi Amman, a fantasy-comedy released in 2020 on Disney+ Hotstar, received a positive response from fans and critics. Directed by RJ Balaji and NJ Saravanan, it featured RJ Balaji, Urvashi, Smruthi Venkat, Madhu Mailankody, and Abi Nakshatra in key roles. Nayanthara has also joined the cast of Mahesh Narayanan's much-anticipated Malayalam film tentatively titled 'MMMN', a project that brings together the iconic actors Mohanlal and Mammootty in lead roles for the first time in 16 years. She will also be seen in Rakkayie, a period-action drama directed by Senthil Nallasamy. Nayanthara does not want to be called 'Lady Superstar' Earlier this month, Nayanthara requested her fans to stop referring to her as 'Lady Superstar' and instead call her by her name. "It represents who I am--not just as an actor but as an individual," she explained.
17 March,2025 11:51 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentActor Vishnu Manchu’s unwavering devotion took center stage as he fulfilled a heartfelt spiritual promise ahead of his magnum opus, Kannappa' release. With the film set to release on April 25, 2025, Vishnu recently visited Utukuru, Rajampet Mandal in Annamayya district—the birthplace of Kannappa—to offer prayers at the historic Lord Shiva temple, where the legendary devotee once walked. Vishnu Manchu visits Utukuru Since Vishnu is portraying Kannappa, the ultimate Shiva Bhakta, he felt an undeniable calling to pay his respects at this sacred site. Immersed in deep reverence, he bowed his head in prayer, seeking divine blessings for the film’s success. The atmosphere was charged with spiritual energy, making the moment profoundly moving—almost as if Vishnu was connecting with the spirit of Kannappa himself. The visit was met with overwhelming warmth, as villagers and temple staff welcomed Vishnu Manchu and the Kannappa team with great enthusiasm. During his visit, Vishnu not only offered prayers but also pledged to support the temple’s development as part of his ongoing commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Sharing his experience, Vishnu posted a video on social media, writing: *"Visited the sacred birthplace of the legendary Kannappa, seeking his blessings for the entire cast and crew of our film Kannappa. May his unwavering devotion and spirit guide us on this incredible journey. #Kannappa 🏹 #HarHarMahadevॐ"* View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vishnu Manchu (@vishnumanchu) Vishnu Manchu on playing Kannappa Vishnu Manchu, who portrays the titular character, Kannappa, expressed his personal connection to the film. “This film is not just a project for me; it’s a personal journey. I am currently visiting all the Jyotirlingas across India, I’ve felt a deep, spiritual bond with the story of Kannappa. It’s a tale of unwavering faith and sacrifice that touches the soul. Having icons like Akshay Kumar, Mohanlal, and Prabhas join us on this journey gives me immense pride, because we believe this story, filled with devotion and divine power, should reach every person across the world. It’s a message that transcends borders and speaks to the heart of humanity.” About Kannappa An epic retelling of the legendary tale, Kannappa is one of the most anticipated films of the year. With breathtaking visuals and a stellar ensemble cast, the film promises to leave a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. Vishnu Manchu stars in the titular role, alongside Preity Mukhundhan, with powerhouse performances by Mohanlal, Akshay Kumar, Prabhas, and Kajal Aggarwal. Get ready for a grand cinematic experience as Kannappa releases worldwide on April 25, 2025!
16 March,2025 11:02 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSS Rajamouli's RRR is one of the biggest Indian films to achieve global fame, even bagging an Oscar. The film starred Telugu actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead. For the longest time, fans have engaged in heated debates over which of the two actors was the main lead or the 'main hero' of RRR. Recently, a movie enthusiast took to X (formerly Twitter) and asked the platform's AI bot, Grok, to settle the debate. Grok’s take on the RRR hero debate The AI chatbot Grok has been gaining popularity for its candid and honest responses to various questions. When asked who the main hero of RRR was, the bot responded: "In RRR, Komaram Bheem (N.T. Rama Rao Jr.) seems to be the main hero, driven by his mission to rescue Malli, while Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan) is a key co-lead with his undercover revolutionary role. Both fight against British rule, but Bheem’s initial quest sets the plot in motion, even though Raju’s layered character adds depth. The debate continues—some see them as equal leads, yet Bheem’s arc feels more central. Rajamouli balances them well, making it difficult to label either as a side character. Raju’s hidden conflict adds intrigue, enriching the dual-hero narrative." RRR Sequel in the Works? In 2023, writer Vijayendra Prasad, who is also SS Rajamouli’s father, hinted at a sequel to RRR. He confirmed that the lead actors, Jr NTR and Ram Charan, will return for the sequel. However, RRR 2 may not follow the same storyline. Instead, it is expected to be based on another chapter from the Telugu states during the pre-Independence era. In an interview with a Telugu channel, Vijayendra Prasad shared: "We are planning to make a sequel to Ram Charan and NTR's RRR. The movie will be directed by SS Rajamouli or someone else under his supervision." Meanwhile, Rajamouli had previously confirmed RRR 2 in 2022 during an event in Chicago, stating: “My father is the story writer for all my films. We discussed RRR 2 a bit, and he's working on the story.” RRR is a fictional story about two legendary revolutionaries and their journey away from home before they started fighting for their country in the 1920s. The Telugu-language period action drama was produced by D.V.V. Danayya of DVV Entertainments and was released on March 25, 2022. However, it may take some time before RRR 2 goes on floors, as Rajamouli and Vijayendra Prasad are currently occupied with an adventure drama starring Mahesh Babu.
16 March,2025 09:54 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOn Sunday, rumours surfaced on Reddit that Malayalam star Mammootty has been diagnosed with cancer. Now, we have got an update on his health. Mammootty is on a break for Ramzan The Malayalam film superstar's PRO, based in Kerala, told mid-day that it is fake news. They said, “Reacting to reports suggesting that Mammootty is diagnosed with cancer, the veteran’s PR said, “It is fake news. He is on vacation because he is fasting for Ramzan. He is on a break from his shoot schedule as well because of that. In fact, after the break he will go back to shooting for Mahesh Narayanan’s film with Mohanlal.” Mammootty's work front On the work front, Mammootty, will next be seen in Bazooka. The film is scheduled to be released on April 10. The film, an action-thriller, also stars Babu Antony, Iswarya Menon, Neeta Pillai, and Gayathri Iyer. He was last seen in Gautham Vasudev Menon’s investigative comedy film, 'Dominic and the Ladies’ Purse', which was released on January 23. While the film received mixed reactions, Mammootty’s portrayal of the titular character was appreciated.
16 March,2025 06:52 PM IST | Mumbai | Komal RJ PanchalKannada actor Kichcha Sudeep collaborated with Salman Khan in the 2019 film Dabangg 3. In a recent interview, Sudeep's daughter, Sanvi, reminisced about spending time with Salman during the film's production. She recalled being 14 at the time and described it as the most memorable experience of her life. Sanvi shared that Salman is often misunderstood and revealed that she was invited to stay at Khan’s Panvel farmhouse for three days. Sanvi Sudeep on meeting Salman Khan Now 21, Sanvi spoke about her experiences on Janil Modi’s YouTube channel, recalling her time on the sets of Dabangg 3 and her interactions with the Bollywood superstar. "That was the most fun I’ve had in my life when Dad was shooting that film," she said. Sanvi also mentioned that Salman remembered a bracelet she had made for him as a child and even wore it on the sets of Bigg Boss. Sanvi further shared that after the film’s shoot, her father surprised her by taking her to dinner at Salman’s house. "I saw him and thought, ‘Oh my god, it’s Salman sir.’ I was completely nervous because he has such a superstar aura," she recalled. She then spoke about how Salman took a liking to her that day. "He made me sing for him, and at 3 AM, he called his music directors and said, ‘I’m sending this girl. I want you to record her on a track and keep her voice in case we need her for something.’ I went the next day." Sanvi calls Salman a misunderstood man After this, Salman invited her back to his farmhouse, where she spent three unforgettable days. "He didn’t care if my parents were around. From morning to night, I was with him. He refused to let me go," she said. Sanvi described Salman as a "very misunderstood man" and shared that they spent a lot of quality time together. "He would take me to the gym with him. We would go swimming. I love cars and bikes, so he took me on this really cool monster truck and drove me through the woods. It was super fun. Those three days at his farmhouse were the most memorable time of my life," she said, adding, "He spoiled me like anything."
16 March,2025 05:47 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSamantha Ruth Prabhu has successfully removed the tattoo on her wrist, which she got during her marriage to actor Naga Chaitanya. The Thandel actor had also gotten a matching tattoo at the time. Recently, Samantha shared a picture of herself, and while fans were delighted to see her smiling, they were intrigued by the faded tattoo on her wrist. Samantha finally removes tattoo linked with Naga Chaitanya On Sunday, Samantha posted a series of pictures offering a glimpse into her life. In the first picture, she is seen sipping a refreshing juice while looking into the camera, calling it a "rare night out." Notably, she rested her wrist under her chin, revealing a faint outline of her tattoo. A Reddit user shared the picture with the caption, "Looks like Samantha is finally getting her tattoo removed. This was a matching tattoo with Chay... it means ‘Create your own reality.’” Fans expressed their happiness, with some even calling it “good riddance.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Samantha (@samantharuthprabhuoffl) For those unaware, Samantha had previously revealed the significance of the matching tattoo, saying, “My tattoo means ‘Create your own reality.’ Chay and I got it together. It was really special for us.” Additionally, she had also inked ‘Chay’ on the right side of her rib during their relationship. Naga Chaitanya Speaks About Divorce Recently, during an appearance on Raw Talks With VK podcast, Naga Chaitanya addressed his much-discussed divorce. He said, "We wanted to go our own ways. For our own reasons, we made this decision, and we respect each other. We are moving on in our own way. I don’t understand what more explanation is needed. I hope the audience and media will respect that. We have asked for privacy, so please respect us. Unfortunately, it became a headline, a topic for gossip, and a form of entertainment." He further added, “I’ve moved on with so much grace, and she has too. We are leading our own lives. I have found love again. I am happy, and we have so much respect for each other.” The actor also emphasized that he holds immense respect for Samantha, stating, “It’s not like this is happening only in my life, so why am I being treated like a criminal?"
16 March,2025 04:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentL2E: Empuraan, the highly anticipated sequel to Lucifer, is officially set to storm into theaters worldwide on March 27th, 2025. Helmed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and penned by Murali Gopy, this second installment in the trilogy is bankrolled by Subaskaran, Antony Perumbavoor, and Gokulam Gopalan under the banners of Lyca Productions, Aashirvad Cinemas, and Sree Gokulam Movies. Promising to take the gripping narrative of Lucifer (2019) to an even more expansive level, Empuraan is shaping up to be one of the biggest cinematic spectacles of the year. The cast of Empuraan Leading the star-studded cast, Mohanlal returns as Khureshi-Ab’raam aka Stephen Nedumpally, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, and Game of Thrones fame Jerome Flynn, who makes his much-awaited debut in Indian cinema. The powerhouse ensemble further includes Abhimanyu Singh, Andrea Tivadar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Indrajith Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Saniya Iyappan, Saikumar, Baiju Santhosh, Fazil, Sachin Khedekar, Nyla Usha, Giju John, Nandhu, Shivaji Guruvayoor, Manikuttan, Aneesh G. Menon, Sshivada, Alexx O'Nell, Eriq Ebouaney, Mikhail Novikov, and Karthikeya Dev, making this one of the most expansive casts in recent Malayalam cinema history. The film’s ambitious production began on October 5, 2023, in Faridabad, followed by a shooting schedule spanning multiple locations, including Shimla, Leh, the United Kingdom, the United States, Chennai, Gujarat, Hyderabad, the United Arab Emirates, Mumbai, and Kerala. Captured in an anamorphic format with a 1:2.8 aspect ratio, Empuraan ensures a visually immersive experience that will continue into the trilogy’s final chapter. The technical crew features cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev, editor Akhilesh Mohan, art director Mohandas, Stunt Director Stunt Silva, and creative director Nirmal Sahadev, while Deepak Dev returns as the composer to elevate the film’s emotional and action-driven moments. First show begins at 6 am Set for a multilingual release in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada, Empuraan is not just a film but a pan-Indian cinematic event that will captivate audiences across the country and beyond. March 27th 2025, marks Stephen Nedumpally's return as Empuraan gears up to set new benchmarks in Indian cinema. Brace yourselves for a high-octane, visually stunning, and narratively gripping experience as Lucifer's legacy continues. The first show of the film will begin at 6 am IST and will be screened at corresponding time in different countries. Meanwhile, the film will also face a box office clash with Salman Khan's Eid offering Sikandar.
16 March,2025 03:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAustralian cricketing great David Warner, who will be making his debut in Indian cinema though the Telugu film Robinhood, featuring actor Nithiin in the lead, has said that he thoroughly enjoyed shooting for the film. Mythri Movie Makers, the firm producing director Venky Kudumula’s upcoming action entertainer Robinhood, featuring actor Nithin in the lead, on Saturday officially welcomed the Australian cricketer to the world of Indian cinema. Taking to their X timeline, the production house put out a poster of Warner and wrote, “After shining and leaving a mark on the ground, it is time for him to shine on the silver screen. Introducing the widely loved @davidwarner31 to Indian Cinema with Robinhood in an exciting cameo. Grand release worldwide on March 28th.” Soon after this development, Warner took to his X timeline and wrote, “Indian Cinema, here I come. Excited to be a part of Robinhood. Thoroughly enjoyed shooting for this one. Grand release worldwide on March 28.” Robinhood, as the title suggests, has Nithiin playing a thief who steals from the rich to give to the poor. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2025 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | AgenciesThe worlds of Hollywood adrenaline and Indian cinematic power have collided, and the result is explosive! Legendary action director J.J. Perry, known for crafting pulsating action in global blockbusters, has joined forces with Rocking Star Yash for the upcoming action thriller Toxic: A Fairytale For Grown-ups. And if Perry's latest social media post is any indication, fans are in for an absolute banger. In a picture uploaded by Perry himself, the celebrated stunt director is seen alongside Rocking Star Yash, beaming with pride over their collaboration. Hollywood praise for Toxic Captioning the post, Perry wrote: "Was a pleasure working with my friend @thenameisyash on the film #Toxic! Had a great run in India, got to work with a lot of my dear friends from all over Europe :-) can't wait for everybody to see this one. It's a banger! So proud of what we did." View this post on Instagram A post shared by JJ Perry (@jjlocoperry) Yash, the powerhouse behind the KGF franchise, commented under Perry's post, stirring more excitement for what’s shaping up to be a cinematic spectacle. He wrote, “My friend, working with you was straight up, raw power.” About Toxic Set to mark a significant milestone in Indian cinema, Toxic is the first large-scale Indian film to be conceptualized, written, and filmed in both English and Kannada. This bold creative choice ensures an authentic narrative for Indian audiences while maximizing accessibility for global viewers. The film is set to be dubbed in multiple Indian and international languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam, paving the way for a truly cross-cultural film experience. At the helm of this ambitious project is the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Geetu Mohandas. Renowned for her emotionally resonant storytelling, Mohandas has earned prestigious accolades like the National Award and the Global Filmmaking Award at the Sundance Film Festival. With Toxic, she blends her signature artistic vision with high-octane action, promising viewers an unforgettable ride. Jointly produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Yash under KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-ups is poised to redefine the action genre, merging Western precision with Indian intensity.
14 March,2025 03:43 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSooryavansham actor Soundarya's husband has come forward quashing all reports surrounding Mohan Babu's involvement in her death. The veteran actor, who has been in the news for a property dispute with his son Manchu Manoj made headlines after a complaint was filed in Andhra Pradesh accusing him of planning Soundarya's murder. The Kannada actor tragically passed away in a private aircraft crash on April 17, 2004, at the age of 31. She was reportedly pregnant at the time of death and her family was unable to recover her body. Soundarya’s husband issues statement Soundarya's husband GS Raghu called the news false and asserted that they share a good rapport with Mohan Babu. In a statement shared by Telugu 360, he said, “I want to deny the baseless news which has spread across regarding the property. To clarify, I confirm that there is no property illegally acquired by Shri Mohan Babu sir from my wife Late Smt. Soundarya. We never had any land transactions with him as far my knowledge is concerned." He added that the two families have known each other for over 25 years and have always maintained mutual trust and respect. “We share a good rapport and are a family with Shri Mohan Babu sir In this aspect I want to confirm again that we don’t have any property transactions related to this with Shri Mohan Babu sir. Since this is a false news and request you all, to stop spreading the wrong news across. Request you all, let's end up at this given point of time,” he added. Mohan Babu accused of planning Soundarya's murder According to a report by News18 Kannada, a complaint was filed against Mohan Babu which alleged that he pressured Soundarya and her brother to sell six acres of land in Shamshabad’s Jalpalli village to him which they refused leading to a rift. After the actor’s death, Mohan Babu occupied the land illegally. The complainant, identified as Chittimallu has requested the government to take control of the land and has also sought police protection fearing a threat to their life. Soundarya rose to fame in Bollywood with Sooryavansham in which she starred opposite Amitabh Bachchan.
13 March,2025 11:29 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentHaving harboured a deep love for horses, actor Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia had learnt horse riding a few years ago. The training has come in handy for the actor in the shoot of her maiden film, Shaunki Sardar. It turns out that the climax of the Punjabi action drama, starring actor-musician Guru Randhawa, has a chase sequence that requires Ahluwalia to be on horseback. Before heading to Amritsar for the schedule, she spent a week brushing up on her riding skills at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai. “There is something freeing about riding. As prep for Shaunki Sardar, I [polished] my skills as it had been a while since I did horse riding,” says Ahluwalia, who was seen in Khatron Ke Khiladi 14 last year. Elaborating on the chase sequence, she adds, “The action sequences demanded precise control, from sharp turns to fast-paced chases, so I trained rigorously. It wasn’t only about staying on the horse, but understanding its rhythm, and making it look effortless on screen.” The current schedule will be wrapped up next week, in time for the film’s May release.
13 March,2025 07:10 AM IST | Mumbai | Mohar BasuADVERTISEMENT
