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Thaai Kizhavi Box Office: Sivakarthikeyan’s Production Collects ₹22 Cr in Opening Weekend

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Sivakarthikeyan has scored a massive success as a producer with his latest film Thaai Kizhavi, starring Radikaa. The movie was released in theaters on 27 February 2026 and is performing exceptionally well at the box office.

Opening Weekend Box Office Breakdown

Day 1 Opening: The film opened with ₹4.5 Cr gross worldwide. This is a strong opening considering its budget and genre.

Positive Word of Mouth: Due to excellent reviews, the film saw much bigger collections on Day 2 and Day 3.

Worldwide Weekend Total: Thaai Kizhavi collected a total of ₹22 Cr gross worldwide in its first weekend.

Market-Wise Collections

MarketGross Collection
India₹16 Cr+
Overseas₹5.5 Cr+
Worldwide Total₹22 Cr

With no other notable releases in theaters right now, Thaai Kizhavi is expected to see even bigger numbers in the coming days. Sivakarthikeyan’s production house has delivered a solid hit.

About the Film

Directed by debutant Sivakumar Murugesan, Thaai Kizhavi revolves around Pavunuthaayi, played by Radikaa. The story follows a recently widowed woman who finds herself at the centre of a property dispute after her husband’s death.

The Kerala Story 2 Box Office: Just ₹10 Cr Nett vs Part 1’s ₹250 Cr

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The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond, the sequel that sparked controversy even before its release, has turned out to be a massive box office disappointment. Despite the first part’s blockbuster success, Part 2 collected just ₹10 Cr nett in India.

Part 1 vs Part 2 – A Stark Contrast

The Kerala Story (2023) was a mega blockbuster, collecting ₹300 Cr gross worldwide and close to ₹250 Cr nett in India. Typically, when a first part performs this well, the sequel sees even bigger opening numbers.

However, The Kerala Story 2 defied expectations in the worst way. The film has collected just ₹10 Cr nett and ₹12 Cr gross in India so far – a fraction of what its predecessor earned.

FilmIndia NettWorldwide Gross
The Kerala Story (2023)₹250 Cr₹300 Cr
The Kerala Story 2 (2026)₹10 Cr₹12 Cr

Controversy and Court Ban

The film faced legal troubles before release. The Kerala High Court initially stayed the release for 15 days following a controversial response to its trailer.

However, producers filed an urgent appeal, and a division bench lifted the stay on February 27 evening. This allowed limited screenings that night, with full theatrical rollout beginning February 28, 2026.

What Went Wrong?

Despite the controversy generating significant publicity, audiences did not turn up in large numbers. The 15-day delay may have hurt initial momentum, and mixed word-of-mouth further impacted collections.

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi OTT Release Date: Now Streaming on Aha

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Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi, the Telugu remake of the 2022 Malayalam hit Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey, is finally heading to OTT after a disappointing theatrical run. The film stars Tharun Bhascker and Eesha Rebba in lead roles.

OTT Release Date and Platform

The digital rights have been acquired by Aha Video. The film will be available for streaming from March 4, 2026.

Aha Gold subscribers get early access — they can watch the film 24 hours before the official release, starting March 3.

Box Office Performance

Despite decent buzz, Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi failed to connect with audiences at the box office, joining the growing list of remakes that couldn’t replicate the success of their originals.

Story and Cast

The story centers on Prashanthi (Eesha Rebba), a woman who marries Omkar Naidu (Tharun Bhascker), a controlling and abusive husband. Upon discovering her husband’s true character, she chooses to resist, sparking a comedic yet socially meaningful conflict between them.

The original Malayalam film was a sleeper hit and received widespread acclaim for its fresh take on marital dynamics.

Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi hit theaters on January 30, 2026.

Dhurandhar 2 Trailer Buzz: March 3 Release Reports Debunked

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There is massive buzz around Dhurandhar Part 2, set for a grand theatrical release on March 19th. Reports claimed the trailer would arrive on March 3, but insiders have confirmed this is false.

What the Reports Claimed

Bollywood media portals reported that the sequel would unveil its trailer on March 3. They also claimed the makers opted for a direct digital release rather than a traditional red-carpet launch.

The Truth Behind the Trailer Buzz

Main members of the inside circles and trade analysts confirmed that the Dhurandhar Part 2 trailer buzz is false. Any official information will be provided by Jio Studios, the makers of the film.

Star-Studded Cast and Crew

Directed by Aditya Dhar, Dhurandhar: The Revenge features a powerhouse ensemble cast:

  • Ranveer Singh in the lead role
  • Akshaye Khanna (rumored to appear in flashback sequences)
  • Sanjay Dutt
  • R. Madhavan
  • Arjun Rampal
  • Sara Arjun
  • Rakesh Bedi

The first film followed an Indian spy navigating Pakistan’s criminal and political web. It broke records to become one of Bollywood's highest-grossing films.

Box Office Clash Ahead

Dhurandhar: The Revenge will clash at the box office with Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, directed by Geetu Mohandas and starring Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, and Huma Qureshi.

Manjummel Boys Director Chidambaram Booked in Sexual Harassment Case

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In a shocking development, Chidambaram S. Poduval, director of the 2024 blockbuster Manjummel Boys, has been booked in a sexual harassment case over an alleged incident from 2022.

Complaint Details

A young female actor filed a complaint alleging that Chidambaram forcefully entered her apartment in Elamkulam, Kochi, and behaved with sexual intent. The Ernakulam South Police have registered an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

About the Director

Chidambaram S. Poduval rose to fame with Manjummel Boys, which released in 2024 and became a massive blockbuster. The survival thriller received widespread praise from audiences across South India and became the highest-grossing film in Malayalam cinema history at that time.

Current Status

The case is now under investigation by Ernakulam South Police. No official statement has been released by the director or his representatives regarding the allegations.

Salaar 2 Production Update: Prabhas-Prashanth Neel Film to Begin Shooting Soon

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Producer Vijay Kiragandur of Hombale Films has confirmed that Salaar Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam will move into production soon, reuniting Prabhas with director Prashanth Neel for the highly anticipated sequel.

Producer Confirms Shooting Timeline

During a recent interview, Kiragandur spoke highly of Prashanth Neel, calling him one of the finest directors working today. He noted that Neel is exceptionally good at critiquing his own work, which contributes to the quality of his films.

The producer revealed that the team has been closely following fan requests regarding the sequel’s development. He confirmed that the unit will dive into production of Salaar Part 2 – Shouryanga Parvam very soon.

Salaar’s Box Office and OTT Success

Released in December 2023, Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire was a massive box office success. The film’s popularity continued to grow as it became one of the most-watched Indian films on OTT platforms.

Fans loved the intense heroism scenes and grand scale that Prashanth Neel delivered. The first part ended with an announcement of the sequel, leaving audiences eager for the continuation of Deva’s story.

What to Expect from Shouryanga Parvam

With Hombale Films backing the project and Prashanth Neel at the helm, expectations are sky-high for Salaar 2. The sequel promises to deliver even more action and drama as Prabhas returns as the fierce Deva.

Ustaad Bhagat Singh NOT a Remake: Harish Shankar Confirms Original Script

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Director Harish Shankar has once again confirmed that Ustaad Bhagat Singh is not a remake. During the ongoing promotions of the Pawan Kalyan starrer, the director addressed the long-standing rumors head-on.

Remake Rumors and Clarification

From the beginning, reports claimed that Ustaad Bhagat Singh is a remake of the Tamil blockbuster Theri, starring Vijay. While the makers denied this early on, a section of fans remained skeptical.

Meeting with Telugu media during the film’s promotions, Harish Shankar reiterated that Ustaad Bhagat Singh is an original script. He admitted that the persistent remake allegations hurt him, which is why he chose not to explain himself earlier.

Harish Shankar’s Credibility Argument

The director made a compelling case for his credibility. He stated that he respects other filmmakers’ work and would openly admit if he remade a film.

Harish Shankar pointed to his track record as evidence. He is the only director to use credits like “Maatalu – Maarpulu – Darshakatvam” for remake films. For Ustaad Bhagat Singh, the credits read “Kadha – Maatalu – Darshakatvam” — indicating an original story and dialogues.

A Playful Jab at Theri

On a lighter note, Harish Shankar pointed out an interesting connection going the other way. He mentioned that Vijay’s introduction scene in Theri is loosely inspired by the iconic Antakshari sequence from his own film, Gabbar Singh.

Ustaad Bhagat Singh marks the reunion of Pawan Kalyan and Harish Shankar after the massive success of Gabbar Singh.

Funky OTT Release Date: Vishwak Sen’s Film Arrives on Netflix March 13

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Vishwak Sen and Kayadu Lohar starrer Funky is heading to OTT after a disappointing theatrical run. The comedy film, directed by KV Anudeep of Jathi Ratnalu fame, will premiere on Netflix on March 13, 2026.

High Expectations, Disappointing Results

When Funky was first announced, the combination of Vishwak Sen and KV Anudeep promised a major blockbuster. The director’s previous film Jathi Ratnalu was a massive hit, and fans expected similar magic. But the hype started to drop once the promotional content was released.

After its theatrical release, Funky opened to unanimous negative word-of-mouth and reviews. Critics and audiences called it a weak effort from director Anudeep, with many finding the comedy forced and the story lacking substance. The poor response kept audiences away from theaters, resulting in a box office failure.

Funky Netflix Release Details

For those who skipped Funky in theaters, here are the OTT details:

DetailInformation
OTT PlatformNetflix
Release DateMarch 13, 2026
LanguagesTelugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada
ProductionSithara Entertainments

Will It Work Better on OTT?

As Funky failed to perform in theaters, many viewers are now waiting to catch it on Netflix. The home viewing experience might work better for KV Anudeep’s signature humor, which relies on absurd comedy and quirky setups that audiences can enjoy at their own pace.

Peddi Business: Ram Charan’s Film Crosses ₹200 Cr Pre-Release

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Ram Charan and director Buchi Babu Sana’s rural sports action drama Peddi has become 2026’s biggest Telugu business film. With each promotional update, the film’s craze continues to surge, driving massive demand in distribution circles.

Peddi Pre-Release Business Breakdown

The film is shattering pre-release records across all territories. Peddi’s overseas rights sold for ₹40 Cr, marking one of the biggest international deals for a Telugu film this year.

TerritoryDeal Value
Overseas₹40 Cr
East Godavari₹12.60 Cr
Nellore₹6.30 Cr

₹200 Cr Business on the Cards

Peddi is on track to surpass ₹200 Cr in pre-release business for the Telugu version alone. Only a handful of films have achieved this milestone, cementing Ram Charan’s star power at the box office.

Second Single Rai Rai Raa Raa Releasing Today

After the chartbuster first single Chikiri Chikiri, fans await the release of the second single Rai Rai Raa Raa today. The music has been a major driver of the film’s pre-release buzz.

February 2026 Box Office: Telugu Cinema’s Worst Month in Years

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February 2026 turned out to be a nightmare for Telugu Cinema Box Office. Usually considered a dry spell, this year hit rock bottom as every major release failed to attract audiences.

Theater Occupancies Hit Record Lows

Theaters across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana saw their worst occupancies in recent memory. In many areas, collections were so low they didn’t even cover electricity and maintenance costs. Distributors and exhibitors who bet on February releases are now counting significant losses.

Films That Failed to Perform

Several films arrived with decent expectations but crashed at the box office due to poor word-of-mouth or lack of interest:

  • Euphoria: Directed by Gunasekhar, this social drama failed to bring crowds to theaters despite his track record.
  • Hey Balwanth: Starring Suhas, the film saw very low numbers despite his recent successful streak.
  • Vishnu Vinyasam: Sree Vishnu’s comedy entertainer opened average and dropped on Sunday, making recovery impossible.
  • Sri Chidambaram Garu, Funky, Nilave, and Seetha Payanam had zero buzz and left theaters within their opening weekend.

Couple Friendly: The Only Silver Lining

Among the disasters, Couple Friendly (starring Santosh Sobhan and Manasa Varanasi) performed slightly better. However, its success was limited to A Centers and multiplexes. B and C center theaters in smaller towns saw little relief.

What’s Next for Tollywood?

March looks more promising with bigger releases lined up. Distributors hope the Ugadi season will revive collections after this dismal February.