Inspired by Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, Mollywood Times is a dark comedy starring Naslen, who shot to fame with Premalu (2024). Directed by Abhinav Sundar Nayak, the Malayalam film opened to positive reviews from critics and audiences alike before emerging as a commercial success at the box office.
The film marks the second installment in the director’s Success Trilogy, following the acclaimed Mukundan Unni Associates. The wait for its digital premiere is now over, as Mollywood Times is set to stream on JioHotstar from July 3. Along with the original Malayalam version, the film will also be available in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Kannada.
Mollywood Times follows the journey of an aspiring filmmaker determined to create a debut film that will be remembered forever. However, his ambitions are tested by a series of unexpected obstacles along the way. The film also features Roshan Shanavas, Sangeeth Prathap, and Sharaf U Dheen in key supporting roles.
Starring Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role, Dunki is a comedy-drama directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The film also featured Taapsee Pannu and Vicky Kaushal in pivotal roles. While it received mixed reviews from critics and audiences upon release, it still went on to gross around ₹470 crore worldwide, making it a commercial success by most standards.
However, Dunki is widely regarded as an underperformer considering Shah Rukh Khan’s phenomenal box-office run in 2023. The actor had already delivered two back-to-back ₹1,000 crore blockbusters with Pathaan and Jawan, leading many to expect a similar outcome for Hirani’s directorial. As a result, the film’s box-office performance was viewed as modest in comparison.
Speaking on the film’s performance in a recent podcast, Rajkumar Hirani shared his perspective on why Dunki couldn’t match the success of his previous blockbusters. He explained that the film’s central theme—illegal immigration and visa struggles—is something only a section of the audience can personally relate to. Drawing a comparison with 3 Idiots, which revolved around India’s education system, Hirani said that unlike the Aamir Khan starrer, Dunki lacked a universally relatable subject, which may have limited its wider appeal.
Dharman appears to be following the star-studded casting strategy seen in Yash’s Toxic. Written and directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, the action drama already boasts an impressive ensemble featuring Superstar Rajinikanth, Simran, and Raashii Khanna, all of whom have been officially announced. Backed by Kamal Haasan’s Raj Kamal Films International, the film has generated tremendous anticipation since its first-look reveal.
Now, the makers seem to be adding another prominent name to the cast. According to reliable Kollywood sources, actress Meenakshi Chaudhary has been roped in to play a key role in Dharman. While an official confirmation is still awaited, her inclusion is expected to further strengthen the film’s already impressive lineup.
Meenakshi has been on a steady rise ever since the success of Dulquer Salmaan’s Lucky Bhaskar (2024). She has already landed a major role in Karthik Dandu’s upcoming action thriller Vrushakarma, starring Naga Chaitanya. Even before that film reaches theatres, the actress appears to have secured yet another high-profile project, making Dharman another significant addition to her growing filmography.
Dharman is an upcoming action drama starring Superstar Rajinikanth in the lead role. Directed by Ashwath Marimuthu, the film features Simran and Raashii Khanna in prominent roles and is being produced by Kamal Haasan’s Raj Kamal Films International. Ever since its title and first-look poster were unveiled a few days ago, the project has generated considerable buzz online.
Soon after the announcement, some social media users pointed out thematic similarities between Dharman and the popular American television series The Good Doctor. Fueling the speculation further, a prominent Tamil media outlet claimed that the Rajinikanth starrer was an official remake of the series and that Kamal Haasan had acquired its remake rights.
Putting an end to the rumors, writer-director Ashwath Marimuthu dismissed the reports as “fake news” and clarified that Dharman is not a remake. The film is said to blend action, drama, and comedy, with Rajinikanth playing a veteran doctor and Simran portraying his love interest. Raashii Khanna is reportedly essaying a pivotal supporting role that appears in the second half, while Anirudh Ravichander is composing the music.
Welcome to the Jungle, the third film in the cherished Welcome franchise, is directed by Ahmed Khan and produced by Sajid Nadiadwala. This Welcome To The Jungle review examines how the star-studded ensemble comedy fares with its extravagant, silly humor.
The film showcases a large cast led by Akshay Kumar, and the trailer promised an over-the-top comedy experience. Here’s how it delivers.
Story
The film follows a struggling, flop actor (Akshay Kumar) and a massive, quirky film crew who end up in a village near a jungle. What starts as a fake, high-budget film project produced by a corrupt businessman looking to launder black money turns into a real-life hostage situation under a terrorist.
The rest of the film shows how the movie crew learns the truth and saves the villagers from the group of terrorists.
Performances
Akshay Kumar does his best to entertain with several self-satire scenes about his own career. Raveena Tandon, Suniel Shetty, Johnny Lever, and Paresh Rawal make crucial contributions to the film’s comedy.
Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, Rajpal Yadav, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, and others deliver fine performances in their respective roles.
Welcome To The Jungle Review – Analysis
Directed by Ahmed Khan, Welcome to the Jungle is a nonsensical comedy that tries its best to deliver hilarious moments. The first half starts on a fairly okay note, but it tries too hard to generate laughs.
The introduction of multiple characters goes on for a while, and the film shoot and training sequences do not generate the comedy the way they were intended to. Akshay Kumar’s recent comedyBhooth Bangla faced similar pacing issues in the first half.
The film gets into gear when it shifts the base of the shoot to a village in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, ingeniously called Azad Nagar, where a terrorist (Jackie Shroff) behaves like Gabbar Singh.
The way the situation of the villagers and the confusion of the film crew mix into funny situations works nicely. The tragi-comedic dynamic between Farida Jalal and Kiran Kumar, which uses gibberish language and deep Urdu accent (with intended satire on how Muslim characters are shown in Bollywood films), comes out as the best aspect of the film. Both these characters deliver good fun moments in the second half.
The pre-climax twist and some references to popular TV shows and private songs also work well, but the climax action episode appears stretched and could have been avoided.
Positives
Huge star cast
Second half’s comedy
Music
Negatives
Weak comedy scenes in the first half
VFX looks patchy
Stretched climax episode
Welcome to the Jungle Review – Final Verdict
Welcome to the Jungle has some comedic moments to its name. Akshay Kumar and the ensemble cast try their best to entertain with decent music to help. But it could have been a much more enjoyable ride if the writing and comedy had been more genuine.
S. S. Rajamouli’s ambitious globe-trotting adventure Varanasi has reached a major production milestone. The ace filmmaker, known for his meticulous planning and lengthy shooting schedules for Baahubali and RRR, has confirmed that the principal photography of the Mahesh Babu starrer is now complete.
Production Milestones
Speaking about the film’s progress, Rajamouli revealed that all the major action blocks and large-scale sequences requiring extensive visual effects have been successfully filmed. This includes spectacular sequences shot across exotic international locations, making Varanasi one of the most ambitious Indian productions in recent years.
The film’s production took the team to Kenya’s Masai Mara, Naivasha, Samburu, and Amboseli regions. In a historic first for Indian cinema, Varanasi also became the first Indian film—and only the fourth feature film in history—to shoot on location in Antarctica, with key sequences filmed at the Ross Ice Shelf. These globe-trotting schedules showcase the scale and vision Rajamouli has brought to this project.
Final Schedule Ahead
With principal photography wrapped, only a few interconnecting scenes remain to be filmed. According to the director, these smaller linking sequences are currently being completed, and if everything proceeds as planned, the entire shoot should be wrapped up by October 2026.
Once filming concludes, the team will shift focus to the film’s extensive post-production work, which is expected to be a lengthy process given the visual effects-heavy nature of the project. Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles and is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
This weekend brings an exciting lineup of OTT releases, headlined by the much-awaited Baahubali documentary series and other major titles across multiple genres. From big-budget Hollywood spectacles to historical dramas and fantasy series, these latest releases promise to keep you entertained throughout the weekend.
Avatar: Fire & Ash (JioHotstar)
After grossing nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and emerging as one of the biggest global blockbusters of 2025, James Cameron‘s Avatar: Fire & Ash has finally arrived on JioHotstar. The third installment in the franchise follows Jake Sully and Neytiri as they confront the mysterious Ash Clan, delivering breathtaking visuals, emotional storytelling, and another unforgettable journey through Pandora.
Baahubali: The Torch Bearer (Netflix)
Released to mark the 10th anniversary of the Baahubali franchise, Baahubali: The Torch Bearer is a documentary series that offers an exclusive look behind the making of S.S. Rajamouli‘s magnum opus. Featuring unseen footage, interviews with the cast and crew, and insights into the franchise’s global impact, the series also teases what’s next for the Baahubali universe. Fans of the epic saga won’t want to miss this deep dive into one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated franchises.
Raja Shivaji (Netflix)
After creating history at the box office by grossing over ₹130 crore and becoming the highest-grossing Marathi film of all time, Raja Shivaji has made its OTT debut on Netflix. The historical epic chronicles the inspiring journey of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and is a must-watch for fans of grand period dramas.
Blast (Netflix)
Veteran actor Arjun Sarja headlines the action thriller Blast, now streaming on Netflix. Blending intense action with suspense and mystery, the film showcases Arjun in a powerful role and promises plenty of high-octane entertainment for action lovers.
House of the Dragon: Season 3 (JioHotstar)
The battle for the Iron Throne reaches new heights in the third season of House of the Dragon. As the brutal Targaryen civil war intensifies, viewers can expect larger battles, shocking betrayals, and gripping political drama in HBO’s acclaimed fantasy series.
With a balanced mix of action, fantasy, history, and thrilling entertainment, this week’s OTT lineup has something for everyone. Whether you’re planning a movie marathon or looking to binge a new series, these titles deserve a spot on your weekend watchlist.
Ajith Kumar’s last theatrical release was Good Bad Ugly in April 2025, directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by Mythri Movie Makers. Now, the actor’s huge demand for his next film has become a major roadblock in finalizing his upcoming project.
Remuneration Standoff Delays Project
According to industry reports, Ajith is quoting between ₹180-200 crore as his remuneration for his next film. This huge demand has left production houses hesitant, as no producer is willing to meet his quoted amount.
Several production houses were in talks to bankroll the star’s next project, but negotiations have stalled due to the remuneration mismatch. The standoff has caused continuous delays, leaving the project in limbo.
Market Reality vs Star Demands
While Good Bad Ugly performed well at the box office, trade analysts have pointed out that Ajith’s current market may not justify investments exceeding ₹300 crore—a figure that becomes inevitable when factoring in his remuneration demand, production costs, and marketing expenses.
The gap between the actor’s expectations and producers’ willingness to invest has created an unusual situation for one of Tamil cinema’s leading stars.
Self-Production on the Cards
Faced with the remuneration roadblock, Ajith has reportedly decided to produce the film himself. While no producer is ready to offer his quoted remuneration, the actor is exploring self-production with possible external funding arrangements.
It is confirmed that Ajith will once again team up with Adhik Ravichandran after Good Bad Ugly. According to reports, the project is tentatively scheduled to begin shooting in February 2026, with a planned release in April or May 2026. However, the remuneration issue needs resolution before the project can officially take off.
Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, the beloved lead pair from the hit movie Baby, are set to reunite on the big screen with Epic – First Semester. According to industry reports, producer Naga Vamsi is making arrangements for an Epic release in September, sparking excitement among fans eager to see this pair’s chemistry once again.
September Release on the Cards
The film has already captured significant attention with its intriguing title and promotional material. Reports suggest that producer Naga Vamsi is targeting a September theatrical release for Epic, though an official confirmation is yet to be made. The film promises to deliver a heartwarming experience that has already resonated with audiences through its promotional content.
Epic – First Semester has generated strong curiosity about its narrative approach. The film’s teaser offers a beautiful, evocative feel centered on the evolving relationship between Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya. Both songs released so far have received positive responses, while the teaser has significantly heightened expectations for this upcoming release.
Baby’s Hit Pair Returns
Having established a devoted fan base following the success of Baby, Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya are ready to create magic together once more. Their previous collaboration struck a chord with younger audiences, making this reunion highly anticipated. Earlier this year, Epic was considered for an April 30 release slot alongside other major films, but the team appears to have strategically moved to September for a wider theatrical window.
Director Aditya Haasan, who earned acclaim for the 90’s web series, is making his feature film directorial debut with this project. Hesham Abdul Wahab, known for his melodious compositions, is scoring the music for Epic – First Semester. Fans now eagerly await the official announcement confirming the September release date.
Rumors suggesting that Allu Arjun and Lokesh Kanagaraj’s highly anticipated film AA23 has been shelved have been debunked. The much-awaited project remains on track, with production activities set to commence as originally planned.
Test Shoot Begins Tomorrow in Mumbai
Putting all AA23 rumors to rest, the film kickstarts tomorrow with a test shoot in Mumbai. Fans have been actively sharing this positive update across social media platforms after days of concern triggered by unverified reports claiming the project had been shelved.
Lokesh Kanagaraj, who recently wrapped up shooting for DC where he plays the lead role, has completed all pre-production work for AA23. The Allu Arjun-Lokesh Kanagaraj collaboration will feature music by Anirudh Ravichander, whose record-breaking remuneration for this project garnered significant attention earlier this year.
Parallel Production Schedules
Meanwhile, Allu Arjun is simultaneously working on Raaka, his massive collaboration with director Atlee. Both AA23 and Raaka will proceed on parallel tracks, demonstrating the Icon Star’s commitment to delivering back-to-back pan-India entertainers. Further updates on both projects are expected in the coming weeks.
