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Mythri’s Ravi Shankar Opposes Telangana Theatre System

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A fresh controversy has emerged in the Telugu film industry over the implementation of the percentage system in single-screen theatres. The issue has led to a sharp disagreement between Telangana exhibitors and the Producers Guild, dividing the industry.

Mythri Producer Calls for Stakeholder Consensus

Reacting to the issue, Mythri Movie Makers producer Y. Ravi Shankar said that any decision on this issue should be taken only after discussions with producers, distributors, and exhibitors, so that it is acceptable to everyone involved.

For decades, single-screen theatres have been operating under the rental system. Recently, Telangana exhibitors made a key decision to replace this with a percentage-based revenue-sharing model, similar to the system followed in multiplexes.

However, the Producers Guild opposed this move from Telangana exhibitors and the Film Chamber. Responding to the development, Ravi Shankar stated that implementing the percentage system immediately could have a serious impact, especially on big-budget films.

No Overnight Rule Changes, Says Ravi Shankar

He stressed that rules should not be changed overnight and that such major decisions must be taken only with the consent of all stakeholders.

The demand to replace the rental system with a percentage model in single-screen theatres has been around for many years. As part of this move, 23 theatres in Hyderabad have reportedly decided to screen films under the percentage system. The Film Chamber has also officially released a statement regarding this.

According to the announcement, top distributors such as Shirish Reddy, Suniel Narang, and Bobby have agreed to the proposal. It was also mentioned that Mythri’s Shashidhar Reddy said he would take some time to think and share his opinion later.

Mythri Rejects Current Percentage Proposal

Speaking on behalf of Mythri Movie Makers, Ravi Shankar made it clear that they cannot welcome the percentage system in its current form.

“If a decision is taken suddenly and we are told it must be implemented immediately, that is highly unfair. That is exactly why we opposed it. We recently made our stand clear,” he said.

He further added that such a major change cannot be decided by just a few people speaking among themselves.

“If there had been proper preparation from the beginning, it would be different. But this is not something that can be decided instantly. The film industry ecosystem supports hundreds and thousands of people. Ours is a very large family. We need to take everyone’s opinions into account.”

Industry-Wide Committee Needed

Ravi Shankar also suggested forming a committee with representatives from all sections of the industry ecosystem and holding detailed discussions before arriving at any final decision.

“Any decision should be made through a proper process and in a systematic manner,” he concluded.

The controversy has deepened the divide between Telangana exhibitors and the Producers Guild, with the industry facing potential screening disruptions if a consensus is not reached soon.

Dacoit Box Office Day 1: Adivi Sesh Film Grosses ₹12 Cr

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Dacoit, the action-drama starring Adivi Sesh and Mrunal Thakur, hit theaters today (April 10, 2026). Directed by Shaneil Deo, the film presents a gritty tale of love and revenge featuring an ensemble cast that includes Anurag Kashyap, Prakash Raj, Sunil, and Atul Kulkarni. The Day 1 box office numbers reveal a mixed opening in India, though overseas performance has been strong.

Day 1 Box Office Performance

Dacoit opened to around ₹12 Cr gross worldwide on its first day, marking a decent start at the box office. For breakeven, the film needs to collect ₹55 Cr+ gross worldwide, which means around 22% recovery on opening day.

TerritoryPerformanceStatus
India (metros)Very goodHyderabad, Vizag, Vijayawada, Bangalore
India (B & C centers)Below expectationsOrdinary
OverseasVery strongExcellent response

Dacoit India Collections Show Urban-Rural Divide

In India, Dacoit has recorded very good numbers in major cities like Hyderabad, Vizag, Vijayawada, and Bangalore. However, the performance in B & C centers is not impressive, creating an urban-rural divide that’s impacting the overall Dacoit India collections.

The main concern is that the word of mouth is not unanimously positive — it’s mixed — which is impacting the collections slightly.

Weekend Outlook and Day 2 Prospects

As it opened ordinarily in India, Dacoit needs to see bigger jumps on Day 2 and Day 3 to post a strong weekend. Day 2 advances are also not that great, which raises concerns about the film’s ability to sustain momentum through the crucial weekend period.

The mixed reviews and ordinary B & C center response mean the film will need strong word-of-mouth improvement and substantial Day 2 growth to reach its breakeven target of ₹55 Cr+ gross worldwide.

Sabdham Telugu Version Now Streaming on ZEE5

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Telugu OTT viewers can finally watch the complete language version of Sabdham as the Telugu-dubbed version of the horror thriller starring Aadi Pinisetty is now streaming on ZEE5. This has been one of the most-awaited OTT releases in recent weeks.

About Sabdham Telugu

Sabdham released in theaters on February 28, 2025, in Tamil and Telugu. Written and directed by Arivazhagan, this supernatural horror thriller opened to mixed reviews, with critics praising the technical brilliance and sound design while pointing to screenplay issues.

The film follows Rooban, a paranormal investigator from Mumbai, who travels to a medical college in Munnar to investigate a series of mysterious deaths. Aadi Pinisetty leads the cast, supported by Lakshmi Menon, Simran, and Laila in important roles.

OTT Release Timeline

When Sabdham made its digital debut on ZEE5 earlier this year, it was initially available only in the original Tamil language, leaving Telugu and Hindi audiences disappointed. The Hindi version was added to the platform recently, and the Sabdham Telugu version has finally arrived now.

This phased language rollout has become common for South Indian films on ZEE5, with dubbed versions arriving weeks after the original.

Cast and Crew

Sabdham was produced by 7G Films and AAlpha Frames, with music composed by Thaman S. The technical team includes cinematographer Arun Bathmanaban and editor V. J. Sabu Joseph. According to Wikipedia, the film’s sound design, central to the horror experience, received particular acclaim from critics.

Telugu viewers who missed the theatrical run can now experience the paranormal thriller in their preferred language on ZEE5.

Single Screen Theatres Telangana Shutdown from May 1?

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A fresh controversy has erupted in the Telugu film industry over theatre revenue sharing. The Telangana Film Chamber and the Producers Guild are now locked in a cold war over the ‘percentage’ policy. Single screen theatres across Telangana may shut down from May 1 if the dispute remains unresolved.

Exhibitors strongly insist that a percentage-based system must replace the current rental model. Producers argue this is not feasible under present market conditions. The standoff has intensified, with serious discussions underway about shutting down single-screen theatres from the start of May.

Rental System vs Percentage Model

Most single-screen theatres currently follow the rental system. Under this model, producers pay a fixed rent to theatre owners, regardless of whether the film performs well or not. The Telangana Film Chamber is now demanding a percentage-based revenue-sharing model, similar to multiplexes.

According to the proposed system, theatre management would receive 60 percent of the first week’s collections, 50 percent in the second week, and 40 percent in the third week. The chamber has clarified that this system is already being followed in nearly 23 major theatres in Hyderabad.

Producers Guild Raises Strong Objection

The Producers Guild has strongly opposed this proposal. The guild argues that giving such a large share of collections to theatres is not possible under present market conditions. It has clearly stated that films should continue to be screened only under the existing rental system.

Producers are reportedly firm on releasing their films only in theatres that agree to the rental model. This has further widened the gap between theatre owners and producers, intensifying the conflict. The Telugu Film Chamber has recently taken several new decisions regarding financial and distribution-related issues, making this dispute even more significant.

Telugu Film Chamber Questions Guild’s Authority

Meanwhile, the Telangana Film Chamber has expressed deep displeasure over the Producers Guild’s stand. The chamber has questioned why the Guild is taking key decisions instead of the Telugu Film Chamber. Along with making strong remarks, it has also sent an official letter seeking immediate resolution.

The chamber has warned that a final decision on the matter must be taken by April 30, failing which strict action could follow.

May 1 Shutdown Threat

If there is no clarity on the percentage policy by the end of April, the Exhibitors Association has announced that single-screen theatres across Telangana may be shut down from May 1.

Exhibitors say they have been facing heavy losses under the rental system. They point out that the percentage model is already being implemented successfully in several other states. Single screen theatres in Telangana account for a significant portion of Telugu film releases, making this potential shutdown a major crisis.

With exhibitors concerned about theatre survival and both sides refusing to step back, the issue is now becoming one of the biggest controversies in the Telugu film industry.

Pradeep Ranganathan’s ₹100 Cr Streak Ends with LIK

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Pradeep Ranganathan achieved a remarkable hat-trick of ₹100 crore grossers with Love Today, Dragon, and Dude, setting a rare milestone that placed him among the industry’s most bankable young stars. However, his latest release LIK – Love Insurance Kompany appears set to break this impressive streak.

LIK’s Challenging Release

Directed by Vignesh Shivan and starring Krithi Shetty opposite Pradeep Ranganathan, LIK – Love Insurance Kompany hit theaters today after facing multiple production delays. The film’s journey to release was marked by obstacles, including legal issues and postponements, creating uncertainty around its box office prospects.

The early reception has been mixed to negative. Telugu audiences have given the film unanimously negative word of mouth, while Tamil reviews have been slightly better but still average at best. This lukewarm response stands in stark contrast to the strong openings that greeted his previous three films.

Factors Working Against the Film

LIK is facing multiple challenges that are impacting its box office potential. The film entered theaters without strong pre-release buzz in either Tamil or Telugu markets, a critical factor for opening weekend performance. Additionally, the ongoing pre-election phase in Tamil Nadu is affecting theatrical footfalls across the state, adding another layer of difficulty for the film’s commercial prospects.

Unlike Love Today, which became a sleeper hit through strong word of mouth, or Dragon and Dude, which opened to solid initial interest, LIK is struggling to generate momentum in its crucial opening days.

The Streak Comes to an End

Given the combination of negative reviews, weak buzz, and challenging market conditions, industry observers believe LIK is highly unlikely to reach the ₹100 crore gross mark. This would mark the end of Pradeep Ranganathan’s unprecedented streak of consecutive ₹100 crore films—a run that had established him as one of the most reliable box office performers among young actors across South Indian cinema.

While every streak must eventually end, the actor’s strong track record and fan following suggest this setback may be temporary. His upcoming projects, including his return to direction, will be closely watched to see if he can bounce back from this rare commercial disappointment.

LIK Review: Exciting Idea, Below Par Execution

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Movie Name LIK – Love Insurance Kompany
Rating 2.25/5
Cast Pradeep Ranganathan, S.J. Suryah, Krithi Shetty
Director Vignesh Shivan
Produced By Lalit Kumar
Release Date 10th Apr, 2026

After scoring a hat-trick of successes with Love Today, Dragon and Dude, Pradeep Ranganathan has come to the audience once again with the movie LIK directed by Vignesh Shivan. The film faced several delays before finally arriving in theatres today. Here’s our LIK review.

Story

Set in 2040, the film has Surya (SJ Suryah), who starts a company called LIK (Love Insurance Kompany) with an app which analyzes relationships and tells what is real love and what is not. Dheema (Krithi Shetty) is a girl who is fully addicted to mobile phones and the LIK app, and Vasu (Pradeep Ranganathan) comes from a place where social media or mobile phones are strictly prohibited.

Vasu falls in love with Dheema at first sight, and the rest of the story is how Surya and the LIK app affect his love journey with Dheema.

Performances

Pradeep Ranganathan and SJ Suryah perform decently, and they could have done better with more effective characterization or writing. Krithi Shetty looks cute, but her character does not have much scope to perform. Seeman, Shah Ra, Gowri G Kishan, Yogi Babu, and others are alright.

LIK Review: Analysis

Director Vignesh Shivan took an interesting setup of a futuristic story set in 2040. The idea is interesting, and the satires on modern-day relationships, lifestyles, social media overuse, and dependence work well for a while in the first half. But things ended there.

To make an engaging love story, the film needed two opposite characters falling in love or getting attracted to each other. Here, the character of Vasu, played by Pradeep Ranganathan, is a regular guy who goes to any lengths to win his love. It is like a regular character without any special quality. Coming to the female lead, Dheema, played by Krithi Shetty appears as dumb and shallow rather than cute or a misguided girl who lost herself in the company of gadgets or apps.

The main villain character played by SJ Suryah appears feeble, as there is no entertainment factor, nor does it deliver any threat value to the proceedings. Because of his performance, a few fun moments work, including a dance bit near the climax, but his acting prowess is underutilized in this character.

The first half manages to produce some fun parts, and the Dheema Dheema song arrives as the best part of the film. Though nothing much happens in this phase, the interval scene raises hopes for the second half. But except for a few comedy scenes here and there, the proceedings in the latter half appear as boring or stretched.

There is an effort to bring some emotion near the climax, but even that does not work fully, as the fight starts well but gets dragged out and ends with a message.

Positives

  • Main Plot
  • Comedy Scenes in the First Half
  • Anirudh’s Music

Negatives

  • Zero Emotional Impact
  • Second Half Goes Downhill
  • Preachy Scenes
  • Love Track Lacks the Spark

Final Verdict

Vignesh Shivan tries to present an entertaining love story in a futuristic setup with LIK, but except for some genuinely hilarious moments, Pradeep Ranganathan’s efforts, and Anirudh’s decent music, the film becomes a boring outing.

Chiranjeevi’s Mega 158 Launch Postponed: KVN Productions Issues

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In an unexpected development, Megastar Chiranjeevi’s much-awaited film, Mega 158, is facing issues because of KVN Productions. The film, which was originally scheduled to launch tomorrow, has now been postponed.

The reason behind this sudden delay is said to be the ongoing issues faced by KVN Productions, the banner producing the film. The production house is currently dealing with the fallout from the Jana Nayagan leak controversy, which has created significant disruption.

Jana Nayagan Leak Affects Mega 158

Since KVN Productions is also backing Mega 158, the continuous problems surrounding Jana Nayagan are now directly affecting Chiranjeevi’s upcoming project as well. The unexpected leak issue has reportedly forced the makers to put the launch plans on hold for the time being.

This news has come as a surprise to fans who were eagerly waiting for the grand announcement of the ChiranjeeviBobby collaboration. The combination itself has generated strong excitement, and the postponement has naturally led to disappointment among the audience.

Film Remains On Track Despite Setback

Despite this temporary setback, sources suggest that the film is very much on track and that the launch will be rescheduled once the production house resolves the current issues. Director Bobby had recently locked the final script for this emotional action entertainer.

Fans are now hoping that the situation settles soon and that Mega 158 begins its journey with a grand launch in the coming days.

Gopichand Malineni Announces Jaat 2 on First Anniversary

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Marking one year since the release of Jaat on April 10, 2025, director Gopichand Malineni has delighted fans by officially announcing Jaat 2. The sequel announcement has created strong excitement among movie lovers, especially those who celebrated the first film’s success.

Director’s Heartfelt Message to Fans

Sharing the update on the special occasion, the director expressed heartfelt gratitude to the audience for the love and support showered on Jaat. He conveyed that the film’s journey and success were made possible because of the fans’ immense enthusiasm, reactions, and celebrations.

Bigger Scale and Stronger Emotions Promised

Adding to the excitement, Gopichand hinted that Jaat 2 will be mounted on a much grander scale. He suggested that the sequel will offer stronger emotions, bigger action moments, and a more entertaining cinematic experience than the first installment. With production house Mythri Movie Makers backing the project, expectations are already running high for this ambitious follow-up.

About the Original Film

Released on April 10, 2025, Jaat marked Gopichand Malineni's Bollywood directorial debut. The action thriller starred Sunny Deol in a powerful lead role, alongside Randeep Hooda and Vineet Kumar Singh in key roles.

The film revolved around a mysterious and intense protagonist, played by Sunny Deol, who takes on a brutal criminal empire operating in a coastal town in Andhra Pradesh. Packed with mass action sequences and gripping confrontations, the film struck a chord with fans of high-voltage commercial cinema.

What to Expect from Jaat 2

With the sequel now officially announced, fans will be eager to see Sunny Deol return in an even bigger avatar. The director’s promise of raising the scale and intensity suggests that Jaat 2 will deliver an elevated cinematic experience, building on the foundation laid by the first film while pushing the boundaries of action storytelling.

Jana Nayagan Leaked: Team Issues Strong Legal Warning

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Scenes from Vijay’s film Jana Nayagan have leaked online just days before the upcoming state assembly elections, prompting the production team to issue a strong legal warning through their representatives. This marks the second major security breach for the highly anticipated film.

Climax Sequence Spreads Across Social Media

The leak began with the film’s climax sequence, which quickly spread across social media platforms. It triggered intense speculation among fans and political circles alike. What started as a few clips soon escalated, as several portions surfaced online within hours.

According to reports, fragmented scenes were circulated first on WhatsApp and Telegram. Later, a fuller version was briefly uploaded and then removed from social media. The unexpected leak has deeply disturbed the makers and stunned the entire industry, especially considering the film’s scale and massive fan anticipation.

Director H. Vinoth’s Emotional Appeal

Director H. Vinoth responded emotionally to the incident through social media. In a heartfelt message to fans, he wrote that every scene in a film carries someone’s dream and hard work. Seeing Jana Nayagan leaked before release, he said, is truly painful.

He urged fans and audiences not to share the leaked content. Instead, he requested they support the team by waiting for the official release.

Strict Legal Warning Issued

Meanwhile, the production team’s legal representatives issued an official public notice. The notice strongly warns against downloading, forwarding, sharing, or reposting any leaked scenes from Jana Nayagan.

The statement makes clear that strict legal and criminal action will be taken against anyone involved in circulating the content. This applies across all platforms including WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and other digital media.

Additionally, the notice revealed that legal proceedings have already been initiated against those responsible for the initial leak. Further action is being actively pursued.

This incident has shocked Vijay’s fans and raised serious concerns within the film fraternity about digital piracy and content security for high-profile projects.

Minor Fire Accident on Fauzi Sets; Prabhas Safe

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A minor fire accident took place yesterday on the sets of Fauzi, the upcoming film starring Prabhas. The Fauzi accident caused no injuries, and the entire crew is reported to be safe.

Prabhas Was Not Present During the Fauzi Accident

Sources close to the production have confirmed that Prabhas was not at the shooting location when the fire incident occurred. This clarification has brought relief to fans who were concerned about the star’s safety following initial reports of the Fauzi accident.

The production team acted swiftly to control the situation, ensuring that the minor mishap did not escalate into a major incident.

Fauzi Shoot Continues Without Interruption

Despite the fire accident, the Fauzi team has resumed shooting without any delays. The makers are fully committed to maintaining the production schedule and delivering the film to audiences as planned.

Director Hanu Raghavapudi is reportedly working round the clock to keep the project on track. Industry sources suggest that safety protocols have been reinforced on set following yesterday’s incident.

Fauzi Targets December 2026 Release

The team is making every effort to release Fauzi by the end of this year, with a strong target set for December 2026. The period action drama marks the collaboration between Prabhas and director Hanu Raghavapudi, and expectations are running high among fans.

Produced by Mythri Movie Makers, the film has been generating significant buzz in the industry. The production house has maintained that the minor fire accident will not impact the planned release timeline.

With filming progressing steadily despite the setback, Fauzi remains one of the most anticipated releases of 2026.