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Legal Trouble for Vijay Deverakonda

Actor Vijay Deverakonda has found himself involved in a controversy after a complaint was filed against him at the SR Nagar police station in Hyderabad. The lawsuit, filed by a local lawyer Lal Chauhan, accuses Vijay Deverakonda of making offensive remarks about tribal groups during a recent Tamil film pre-release event.

Deverakonda, who attended the event as a chief guest alongside actor Suriya , allegedly drew parallels between the recent Pahalgam incident in Kashmir and a centuries-old tribal wars. According to Chauhan, this analogy was disrespectful and painted indigenous tribes in a bad light.

In the aftermath, several tribal organizations voiced strong objections, condemning the actor’s remarks and urging him to issue a public apology. They argue that his statement was not only inappropriate but also perpetuate harmful stereotypes about tribal heritage.
Police authorities in SR Nagar stated that they received the complaint and are analyzing it to decide the next steps, which will include a legal consultation. As of yet, Deverakonda has not issued a public statement on the topic. The matter has caused extensive discussion on social media, with many users demanding clarification and accountability from the actor.

Nani Creates History: Hit 3 Joins Million Dollar Club on Day 1 in North America

When the North American rights for ‘HIT 3’ were sold for over $2 million, many in the trade felt it was a risky move. The film, not being a big-budget venture, came with limited promotional content and an ‘A’ rating, which traditionally narrows its audience. However, one factor that worked in its favor was Nani’s strong overseas pull — and that alone proved more than enough.

Defying expectations, ‘HIT 3’ stormed into the box office with a massive $850K from premieres alone, surpassing Nani’s previous best ‘Dasara’ by an impressive $200K margin. Even on its first day — a weekday — the film held remarkably well and is projected to bring in over $300K, pushing its total past the $1 million mark.


With this, ‘HIT 3’ becomes the first medium-budget or Tier 2 Telugu film to achieve such an opening day feat in North America. The film’s solid performance and positive word of mouth now point toward a swift breakeven, possibly by the end of its first weekend. Once again, Nani proves his box office strength, particularly in the overseas market, turning a once-questioned deal into a blockbuster success.

Hit 3 Day 1 Box Office – Record Tsunami

Nani’s much-anticipated film Hit: The Third Case has stormed the box office with a sensational opening, creating a wave from America to Amalapuram. With roaring collections across A, B, and even D centers, the film has set a new benchmark for tier 2 heroes. According to early estimates, Hit 3 raked in over ₹35 crore gross on its opening day, comfortably surpassing previous records held by films like Dasara, which opened with ₹33 crore gross.

This phenomenal start not only breaks Nani’s previous best but also sets a new milestone in the category of medium-budget and tier 2 hero-led films. The mass appeal, combined with strong word-of-mouth and a gripping narrative, has clearly resonated with audiences across all demographics.

For breakeven, Hit 3 needs to collect approximately ₹80 crore gross. Remarkably, it has already recovered more than 40% of that target on its first day itself — a feat that underscores the film’s box office potential. If this momentum continues, Hit 3 is poised to become one of the biggest hits in Nani’s career and a landmark in Telugu cinema’s medium-budget segment. All eyes are now on its weekend performance.

Raid 2 Movie Review: This Sequel Works Though It Has Some Underwhelming Moments

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Movie Name: Raid 2
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: 
Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, Saurabh Saxeana and others
Director: Raj Kumar Gupta
Produced By: 
Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Abhishek Pathak, and Kumar Mangat Pathak
Release Date: 1st May 2025

Ajay Devgn is all set to reprise his role as Income Tax Commissioner Amay Patnaik, taking on the corrupt once again in Raid 2, the sequel of Raid (2018). Let us check how this sequel has been made in our review of Raid 2.

Story:

Raid 2 continues the story of the honest IRS officer Amay Patnaik (Ajay Devgn) as he targets a new enemy, Dadabhai (Riteish Deshmukh), who pretends to be a good person.

Performances:

Ajay Devgn excels as Amay Patnaik, building on his strong performance from the first film. Ritiesh Deshmukh portrays a compelling, serious antihero named Dadabhai. Together, they elevate their scenes with great chemistry. Vaani Kapoor plays Malini, Patnaik’s wife, and she is okay. Saurabh Shukla is very funny as Tauji, though he has only a few scenes. Supriya Pathak does a good job as Dadabhai’s mother. Amit Sial as Lallan Sudheer Singh, the ‘Charan Chumbak,’ is extremely entertaining.

Analysis:

Directed by Rajkumar Gupta, Raid 2 is set in the late 1980s. The film closely follows its prequel’s formula, but in doing so, it misses out on having some fun. The first half appears ordinary, as it takes its time to establish the plot. Though the intent is evident, there is a sense of dullness, as the real game starts towards the interval only. The second half picks up the pace and maintains the mood for most of the parts. The game between the hero and villain is good, and the well-put dialogues also add to the effect. The film is not as solid as the first part (Raid-2018), but still, it manages to make its own mark.

Positives:

  • Ajay Devgn – Riteish Deshmukh Performance
  • Interval Episode
  • Second Half

Negatives:

  • Hero – Villain Game is not as gripping as in the first part
  • Songs disrupt the flow
  • Dull feel in the first half

Raid 2 Movie Review and Verdict:

Ajay Devgn’s Raid 2 works as an honest sequel, though it has some underwhelming moments. The film benefits from the solid performances of Ajay Devgn and Riteish Deshmukh and an effective second half, though the ordinary first half and unnecessary songs act as a hindrance.

Nani scores another double-digit opening in Telugu States

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Tollywood Actor Nani’s Hit 3 released today worldwide amid great buzz and expectations. The Advance bookings of the film were also too high and now, Nani looks to score another double-digit opening in Telugu States.

Few Tier 2 Actors from Tollywood have seen a double digit start worldwide but only Nani among them has delivered this in Telugu States. He earlier did it with Dasara which was a record holder for Tier 2 Actors both in Telugu States and worldwide. No other film in the Tier 2 range collected the double digit share in Telugu States since then.

And now, with Hit 3 Nani outshines himself making a 2nd double digit-share in Telugu States as per the early estimates. In US, the film already crossed the $1 Million mark in the opening. So, worldwide there will be a big opening. Hit 3 may go head to head with Dasara.

Retro audience talk: First half hit, Second half miss

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Kollywood film, Retro starring Suriya released today in the theatres worldwide. The film generated great hype in the recent times and was also portrayed as a comeback film for Suriya after his disaster, Kanguva. Likewise, the film also had great advance bookings. But it seems the film has faltered.

Retro achieved amazing reviews after the first half and everyone expected it to become a blockbuster. But, surprisingly, the second half of the film dissatisfied the audiences with a unanimous below-par response. The netizens feel that the second half felt very flat compared to the film’s first half. This has also impacted the overall talk and word of mouth of Retro and the film received a below par review finally.

Usually, the second half happens to be crucial for any film for its success. Director of Retro, Karthik Subbaraj always had a problem with the second half of his films, and this has also continued with Retro. In the end, Retro is not the comeback film that audiences expected from Suriya and his wait for a blockbuster hit continues. We need to see how Retro performs theatrically now.

Thudarum joins 100 crore club

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Mohanlal starrer, Thudarum is rocking the box office. The film attained a unanimous positive word of mouth on the opening day and posted solid numbers since then. The film is all set to join the 100 crore club in just 6 days which is just phenomenal.

Thudarum will be the fourth film for Mohanlal to score a 100 crore club at the box office. His previous 100 crore films were Puli Murugan, Lucifer and L2: Empuraan. L2: Empuraan which released recently became a box office sensation grossing more than 250 crores worldwide. And now, Thudarum also looks to go close to 200 crore gross worldwide in the final run.

Mohanlal also becomes the only senior Actor in recent times to deliver two 100 crore grossers in a short span of time. And if the film achieves 200 crore gross he will also become the only Malayalam Actor to deliver two 200 crore grossers.

Retro Movie Review: A Miserable Outing

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Movie Name: Retro
Rating: 2.25/5
Cast: 
Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Joju George, Jayaram and others
Director: Karthik Subbaraj
Produced By: 
Suriya and Jyothika
Release Date: 1st May 2025

Suriya’s latest movie is Retro. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film’s songs/teaser/trailer have generated a decent buzz among audiences. The fans expect it to be the comeback film of their favorite hero. Let’s check whether these expectations came to reality in our review of Suriya’s Retro.

Story:

Tilak (Joju George) is a infamous smuggler. Paarivel Kannan (Suriya), his adopted son, loves Rukmini (Pooja Hegde) and abandons his criminal past and family for a peaceful life. Tilak pursues the elusive ‘Gold Fish,’ while only Paarivel holds knowledge of its location. An unexpected leds Paari into jail, and the rest of the story is about whether he wins back Rukku’s love. Also, he has to face Tilak and his partners who are hellbent on pursuing the “Gold Fish”.

Performances:

Despite Suriya’s genuine effort, flawed characterization restricts his performance. Pooja Hegde’s new role differs from her glam image, yet it fails to make an impact beyond her appearance. Joju George gets wasted in hero’s father character, while Jayaram, Karunakaran, Nassar, and Prakash Raj have little to do.

Analysis:

Karthik Subbaraj directs Retro. The director explores three themes: Love, Laughter, and War. The early scenes, including the hero’s childhood, romantic moments, and the continuous shot around the Kannamma song, effectively enhance the film. Following that, the narrative diverges. Karthik blends various genres, combining romance and action, without a clear focus. Beginning as a love story, the film turns into a crime drama and then shifts again in the second half, puzzling viewers.

The second half feels aimless and lacks focus, leading to a disappointing experience. The script appears shallow, and many scenes disappoint without a strong conclusion. Joju George and Suriya’s relationship feels underdeveloped, weakening crucial moments. The climax appears as a foolish attempt instead of being humorous.

Positives:

  • Initial Moments in the First Half
  • Santosh Narayan’s Music

Negatives:

  • Weak screenplay
  • Dragged and Ineffective Scenes
  • Lack of proper emotional impact
  • Silly scenes towards climax

Retro Movie Review and Verdict:

Suriya’s Retro is an ambitious love action drama that fizzles out after a promising start. The film benefits from Suriya’s sincere work, good music, and creative ideas, yet suffers because of a chaotic screenplay and lackluster second half.

HIT 3 Movie Review: A Satisfactory Crime Thriller With Few Flaws

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Movie Name: HIT 3
Rating: 3/5
Cast: 
Nani, Srinidhi Shetty, Rao Ramesh, and others
Director: Sailesh Kolanu
Produced By: 
Prashanti Tipirneni
Release Date: 1st May 2025

Directed by Sailesh Kolanu, HIT: The Third Case (HIT 3) stars Nani as Arjun Sarkaar. The film built quite a good buzz among audiences with its promotional content, and it registered massive advance bookings as well. Let’s find out whether the movie lives up to the hype in our review of HIT 3.

Story:

HIT: The Third Case features Arjun Sarkar (Nani), a cop who shows no mercy to dangerous criminals. The plot centers on his quest to take down a brutal gang using the dark web, with his motives driving the story.

Performances:

Nani plays Arjun Sarkaar exceptionally well. He provides sharp intensity and enhances certain scenes/fights. Srinidhi Shetty feels fine, and a twist for her role is acceptable. Prateik Babbar doesn’t leave a strong impression as the villain. Surya Srinivas, Rao Ramesh, Samuthirakani, Adil Pala, Komalee Prasad, and others are fine.

Analysis:

The first two films in the HIT franchise were created by writer and director Sailesh Kolanu, who now directs the third installment. The initial two films focus on crime investigations, while the third shifts to a hero theme. While HIT 3 offers an interesting idea, the director emphasized the lead actor and neglected the narration.

The film’s crucial flaw is the antagonist’s weak characterization. He lacks a powerful and menacing presence, making him no match for the strong protagonist. The love subplot slows down the film and its twist doesn’t have much depth. The initial half is decent with some boring sections, while the latter part showcases relentless violence in a single setting. Both the buildup and payoff are effective here, especially the pre-climax and climax that offer exciting highs with well-placed cameos.

Positives:

  • Nani as Arjun Sarkaar
  • Scenes Towards Interval
  • Second Half

Negatives:

  • Regular Investigative Parts
  • Lack of a Solid Villain
  • Unnecessary Love Scenes

HIT 3 Movie Review and Verdict:

HIT 3 is a satisfactory crime thriller with its share of pros and cons. As Arjun Sarkaar, Nani makes this film work with the help of action-packed moments during the second half, though a lackluster villain and a few flat notes in the screenplay act against it.

Bromance Movie Review: A Chaotic Fun Ride With Some Bumps

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Movie: Bromance
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Mathew Thomas, Arjun Ashokan, Mahima Nambiar, Sangeeth Prathap, Kalabhavan Shajohn, Bharat Bopanna and others
Director: Arun Jose
Producer: Ashiq Usman Productions
Streaming On: Sony LIV

After a successful run in theaters, Arun Jose’s Malayalam film, Bromance, has been released on OTT, Sony LIV, from today, i.e., May 1. The film features Arjun Ashokan, Mahima Nambiar, Mathew Thomas, Sangeeth Prathap, Kalabhavan Shajohn, and Bharat Bopanna. 

Story:

Binto (Mathew Thomas) lives with his parents, while his older brother Shinto (Shyam Mohan) lives in Kochi, where he works at a good job. While Binto is celebrating New Year’s in Coorg, Karnataka, he learns that his brother is missing. To find him, Binto teams up with Shabeer (Arjun Ashokan), Aishwarya (Mahima Nambiar), Hariharasudhan (Sangeeth Prathap), and Courier Babu (Kalabhavan Shajohn). Their journey and its connection to Coorg and the ‘Kodava Gang’ form the story of the film.

Performances:

Mathew Thomas is good in the character of Binto. The frustration and the vulnerable aspects of his character are portrayed well by the actor. Mahima Nambiar is cute and makes a mark with her performance. Arjun Ashokan is too good as Shabeer, an introvert, and he excels in a crucial sequence in the second half where he loses his cool. Premalu fame Sangeeth Prathap is perfect as the ethical hacker and takes many scenes to the next level with his hilarious expressions. Kalabhavan Shajohn is perfect as Babu, the local don. Shyam Mohan is fine, while Binnu Pappu and others are apt.

Analysis:

Director Arun D. Jose took a thin plotline and used a chaotic setup to create a funny series of events in the film. The humor in the first half works well and keeps the audience engaged, even if some parts of the screenplay feel a bit long. However, the second half is somewhat disappointing; while this part also had good laughable moments, the plot becomes less tight, and the ending feels hurried. 

The film hypes the ‘Kodava Gang’ as villains, but the scenes involving them are not that strong, and it appears that the writers have just added to stereotypes without giving proper attention to language representation.

Positives:

  • Hilarious Moments
  • Performances
  • Govind Vasantha’s Music

Negatives:

  • Stretched Feel in the Second Half
  • Climax

Bromance Movie Review and Verdict:

Arun Jose’s Bromance is a chaotic fun ride with some bumps. The performances, comedic moments,along with nice music work well for the film, while the dragged parts in the second half and rushed climax work against it.