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Ajith Thanks CM Vijay for Tamil Nadu Motor Sports City

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s announcement to build a world-class Motor Sports City has received appreciation from actor and racing enthusiast Ajith Kumar. The CM recently unveiled plans to construct an Olympic City and a dedicated Motor Sports City in Tamil Nadu to host international racing events like Formula 1, F2, F3, and F4, while training young racing talent. Actor Ajith, who is also known for participating in racing, thanked CM Vijay and congratulated him on this initiative.

Motor Sports City Announcement

On September 3, 2026, CM Vijay announced the Motor Sports City project in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The proposed facility will feature an international-standard motor racing circuit, modern infrastructure, and dedicated training facilities to spot and develop young racing talents from Tamil Nadu. The project aims to position Chennai as India’s motorsports hub, especially as the country pushes for Formula 1’s return by 2028.

Ajith’s Response and Letter of Appreciation

In an official letter of appreciation, passionate racing enthusiast and actor Ajith Kumar praised the move. Rephrasing Neil Armstrong’s historic words, he stated: “One small step by the Tamil Nadu government, one giant leap for motorsports in India!”

Speaking about CM Vijay’s recent visit, Ajith said, “I thank C. Joseph Vijay for taking time off his busy schedule to visit us. We have been colleagues in the film industry for many years, and I’m very happy for him that he is now the Chief Minister. I’m glad that he accepted the invitation to come and see us.”

Several leading actors from the South Indian film industry, including Ram Charan and Chiranjeevi, have congratulated Vijay on becoming Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.

CM Vijay Visits Silverstone Circuit

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay visited actor Ajith Kumar at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, England, on September 11, 2026. This marks CM Vijay’s first foreign trip since assuming office on May 10, 2026. The CM travelled to the UK for a high-profile industrial investment trip and to research successful models for establishing the Motor Sports City project.

CM Vijay was invited by race organisers to officially wave the ceremonial green flag for the Michelin Le Mans Cup race on September 12. Ajith is competing in the race in the LMP3 Pro/Am category for Ajith RedAnt by Virage, sharing the No 16 Ligier with French driver Romain Vozniak.

Mandaadi Box Office Collection Day 1 Worldwide: Day 2 Registers a Massive 33% Jump!

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Tamil cinema continues its exciting streak this week with the release of the highly anticipated action-sports drama, Mandaadi. Featuring Soori and Suhas in the lead roles, the film opened in theaters on Thursday, September 10, 2026. Fortunately, the movie registered a very decent start across both the domestic and overseas markets. Furthermore, the box office momentum is already showing a brilliant upward trend for Day 2.

Here is the complete, breakdown of the Mandaadi box office collection Day 1 worldwide gross, regional performance, and live weekend tracking.

Day 1 Worldwide Gross & Language Breakdown

First and foremost, the film performed exceptionally well in the Tamil market. Specifically, the original Tamil version led the domestic charge by collecting an impressive ₹4.30 Crore. Meanwhile, the Telugu dubbed version added a solid ₹90 Lakhs to the tally.

As a result, the Day 1 India-tracked gross reached ₹5.22 Crore, backed by an overall occupancy of 28.5% across 3,343 shows. Ultimately, the actual All-India numbers landed slightly higher at ₹5.60 Crore. Moreover, the overseas market contributed an additional ₹90 Lakhs, pushing the total Day 1 worldwide gross to a decent ₹6.50 Crore.

Mandaadi Opening Day Worldwide Summary:

Box Office TerritoryTotal Collection (Day 1)
All-India Tracked Gross₹5.22 Crore
Estimated Actual India Gross₹5.60 Crore
Overseas Gross₹0.90 Crore
Total Worldwide Gross₹6.50 Crore

Day 2 Live Tracking: A Solid Friday Jump

Interestingly, working-day releases often face a noticeable box office drop on their second day. However, Mandaadi completely defied this usual trend.

As of Friday night (September 11, 10:02 PM IST), the Day 2 live tracker shows a massive ₹6.98 Crore collected so far. Notably, this already represents a brilliant 33.7% jump compared to the Day 1 tracked numbers! Furthermore, the theater occupancy surged to 38.7% across 3,205 shows. Because the public word-of-mouth remains highly positive, the night shows are currently witnessing excellent walk-ins.

Day 3 Advance Bookings: Preparing for a Huge Saturday

Following this strong Friday hold, the first Saturday (Day 3) is officially poised to become the film’s biggest day yet.

Currently, Mandaadi has registered an impressive India-tracked advance booking gross of ₹3.48 Crore for Saturday (September 12). Specifically, eager audiences have already booked over 2.06 Lakh tickets across 3,352 scheduled shows in 966 theaters. Therefore, trade experts confidently predict that the film will post double-digit worldwide numbers tomorrow.

About the Film “Mandaadi”

FeatureDetails
Release Date10 September 2026
Lead CastSoori, Suhas, Mahima Nambiar, Sathyaraj, Mithun Jai Sankar, Ravindra Vijay
DirectorMathimaran Pugazhendhi
GenreAction, Drama, Sports
LanguagesTamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada
Production BannerRS Infotainment

Hanuman Ansh Telugu Release Set For September 18

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Bollywood’s sensational blockbuster Hanuman Ansh is all set to arrive in Telugu on September 18, brought to audiences by renowned director Trivikram Srinivas and his home banner Fortune Four Cinemas.

Hanuman Ansh Box Office Success

Hanuman Ansh, originally released on August 7, 2026, has emerged as one of the most unexpected successes of the year. The small-budget film has been going strong for over five weeks at the box office, stunning national media and film personalities alike with its phenomenal run.

The film’s extraordinary success has brought it into the national spotlight, proving once again that compelling content can triumph over big budgets and star power.

Trivikram Brings Hanuman Ansh to Telugu

In an official announcement, Trivikram Srinivas, the acclaimed Telugu writer and director, confirmed that his production house Fortune Four Cinemas will release Hanuman Ansh in Telugu. The Telugu version is scheduled to hit theaters on September 18, 2026.

This marks a significant move, as Trivikram rarely distributes films outside his own directorial projects. His decision to bring Hanuman Ansh to Telugu audiences underscores the film’s universal appeal and content strength.

Telugu Audience Reception Expected

The Telugu release of Hanuman Ansh will be closely watched by industry observers. Historically, films with spiritual and religious themes have found strong resonance with audiences in Telugu states, which could work in the film’s favor.

Directed by Vishal Chaturvedi and featuring Shobina Satya in the lead role, Hanuman Ansh has already proven its cross-regional appeal. Whether it can replicate its Hindi belt success in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana remains to be seen when it opens in theaters next week.

Nani’s The Paradise Won’t Release Trailer – Official

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Fans eagerly waiting for The Paradise trailer were shocked when Nani and director Srikanth Odela officially confirmed it won’t be released before the film’s September 24 theatrical debut.

The film’s team addressed the press for the first time to announce the release strategy and other details. Nani revealed the primary reason behind skipping the trailer: the hectic work schedule makes it impossible to deliver a quality trailer without affecting the film’s completion timeline.

Nani Explains The Paradise Trailer Decision

Nani explained that multiple units are currently working on The Paradise simultaneously, and preparing a trailer that meets their quality standards requires significant time and resources the team cannot spare right now.

He emphasized that completing the film is the top priority and clarified this decision wasn’t made out of disregard for the audience. “The entire team is working with great dedication to ensure the movie is completed on schedule,” Nani stated.

The no-trailer strategy is unusual for big-budget Telugu films, especially after the film's teaser stunned fans with Nani’s violent avatar and Anirudh Ravichander’s powerful background score in August.

Srikanth Odela on The Paradise Plot

Director Srikanth Odela revealed that The Paradise is a mother-son story with a strong revolutionary and emotional core, promising a blend of intense drama and powerful emotions. This marks his second collaboration with Nani after the blockbuster Dasara.

Premieres Begin September 23, No Major Ticket Hikes

The Paradise has a runtime of 2 hours and 49 minutes. The makers confirmed that premieres will begin on September 23, giving fans an early chance to experience the film before the official September 24 release.

On the pricing front, the team opted against major ticket hikes, with no hike or only a minimal increase expected—a decision that comes as a relief to fans in the current market.

Despite earlier postponement buzz, the team has maintained that The Paradise is on track for its September release, with production nearing completion.

Dulquer Salmaan Eyes Telugu Comeback After I’m Game Flop

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Dulquer Salmaan has established himself as one of Indian cinema’s most versatile and popular actors, winning audiences across Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi cinema. After acclaimed Malayalam films such as Bangalore Days, Charlie and Kurup, he made his Telugu debut with Mahanati, where his portrayal of Gemini Ganesan earned him considerable appreciation. He further strengthened his Telugu following with Sita Ramam, which became a major success and turned Dulquer into a sought-after name in the Telugu market.

Lucky Baskhar’s Breakthrough Success

Dulquer then tested his Telugu-market appeal as a solo lead with Lucky Baskhar, directed by Venky Atluri. The 2024 period crime drama became a major commercial and critical success, crossing the ₹100-crore mark worldwide and emerging as one of the biggest hits of Dulquer’s career. However, his subsequent lead roles have struggled to recreate that success. Kaantha underperformed commercially, while his latest release I’m Game has also failed to make the desired impact.

Meanwhile, Venky Atluri has Lucky Baskhar 2 firmly on his mind, although he needs to complete other commitments first and may begin writing the sequel in around two years.

Dulquer Salmaan Eyes Sri Sri for Telugu Comeback

With his recent outings unable to match the impact of Lucky Baskhar, Dulquer Salmaan now looks to bounce back in Telugu cinema with his upcoming projects. One of the key films is Sri Sri, directed by debutant Ravi Nelakuditi and featuring Pooja Hegde as the female lead. Another Telugu success could help Dulquer regain the momentum he built through Mahanati, Sita Ramam and Lucky Baskhar. At the same time, the prospect of Lucky Baskhar 2 gives him another potentially strong Telugu vehicle, with the director acknowledging the responsibility of following up on the original’s success.

Mahendragiri Varahi Review: Ineffective Mystery Thriller

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Movie Name Mahendragiri Varahi
Rating 2/5
Cast Sumanth, Meenakshi Goswami, Aishwarya Rajesh, Malvika Nair, Manju Bhargavi, Brahmanandam, Rajeev Kanakala, Vennela Kishore, Vamsee Chaganti, Kamal Kamaraju
Director Santhossh Jagarlapudi
Produced By Rajashyamala Entertainments, Bridge Films
Release Date 11th Sep, 2026

Mahendragiri Varahi is a mythological mystery-thriller that hit cinemas today, September 11, 2026. Starring Sumanth as the lead, the film features Siddu Jonnalagadda in a cameo and Aishwarya Rajesh in a crucial role. Let us find out how the movie fares in this Mahendragiri Varahi review.

Story

The Mahendragiri dynasty suffers under a curse from Goddess Varahi: every man dies at 33. The curse persists through generations, unbroken despite the dynasty’s attempts to appease the goddess. Siddharth (Sumanth), a YouTuber from Hyderabad, confronts the problem head-on and commits to uncovering the mystery behind the deaths.

Performances

Sumanth suits the character but his role lacks any specialty, nor does it have the clever angle to elevate it. Meenakshi Goswami is alright, while Siddu Jonnalagadda‘s cameo could have been better. It is crucial to the story but the actor doesn’t have much to do. Aishwarya Rajesh fails to impress in a crucial yet ineffective cameo.

Malvika Nair, Manju Bhargavi, Brahmanandam, Rajeev Kanakala, Vennela Kishore, Vamsee Chaganti, Kamal Kamaraju, Srinivas Vadlamani and others are just okay.

Analysis

Director Santhossh Jagarlapudi sticks to the plot from start to end without any deviation, but the problem is the main story — the threat to the Mahendragiri dynasty is handled poorly. The opening sequence starring Siddu Jonnalagadda is okay.

Sumanth‘s introduction as a YouTuber exposing those who spread fake superstitions delivers little impact, and the same momentum drags on throughout the entire first half. The interval episode offers some surprise, hinting that the second half will be better.

But sadly, though it has some better portions than the first half, the second half also fails to live up to the mark. The casting for key roles is commendable, yet the suspense in the final act and its resolution fail to leave a strong impression. Sumanth‘s recent outing Newton’s 3rd Law faced similar screenplay issues.

Positives

  • Interval Episode
  • Twists at Pre-Climax

Negatives

  • Predictable and Weak Screenplay
  • Zero Highs or Thrills
  • Silly Handling of Cameos (Siddu Jonnalagadda and Aishwarya Rajesh)
  • Bland Climax

Mahendragiri Varahi Review: Verdict

Mahendragiri Varahi is a mystery thriller that delivers only a few engaging moments and mostly drifts aimlessly. The first half is utterly predictable except for the interval episode, while the second half offers some moments of impact but still lacks the necessary thrills and a compelling finale.

Nani’s The Paradise May Skip Trailer Like Vijay’s Master

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Nani’s The Paradise is one of the most ambitious projects in his career, bringing him back with Dasara director Srikanth Odela. Produced by Sudhakar Cherukuri under SLV Cinemas, the film stars Nani as the central character, with Kayadu Lohar as the female lead, Raghav Juyal as the antagonist, and Mohan Babu, Sonali Kulkarni, and Sampoornesh Babu in important roles.

Anirudh Ravichander composes the music, while Ch Sai handles cinematography. Set against a raw, slum-based backdrop, the film revolves around a marginalised community and its struggle against an oppressive system.

The promotional material has already created strong buzz, with the teaser promising a violent, intense world and “Aaya Sher” emerging as a major chartbuster.

The Paradise Reportedly Skipping Its Trailer

The Paradise is being treated as a career-defining and high-stakes project for everyone involved. The film has reportedly crossed the ₹100-crore mark in theatrical business, with impressive pre-release valuations:

TerritoryTheatrical Business
Nizam Rights₹37 Crore
Worldwide Theatrical₹108 Crore

Amid this anticipation, an interesting rumour has surfaced: the makers may choose not to release a conventional trailer before the September 24 theatrical release. Gulte has even raised the question of whether the team can deliver a proper trailer cut, while the promotional campaign has so far leaned heavily on its teaser, songs, and character glimpses.

Is Nani Following Vijay?

This would not be the first time a major South Indian film has considered such a strategy. Vijay’s Master also generated similar reports in January 2021, with the makers initially believed to be planning to skip the theatrical trailer and instead rely on the hugely successful teaser and short promotional videos.

The teaser created a massive response, crossing 16 million views and 1.6 million likes within 16 hours. However, Master eventually did release a trailer, particularly for its Hindi version, so the comparison with The Paradise is more about the promotional strategy of withholding a full trailer and preserving curiosity than completely abandoning trailer promotion.

Master went on to open strongly despite pandemic-era theatrical conditions, making the approach an intriguing reference point for Nani’s film. By holding back the trailer, the makers could be betting on sustained curiosity and strong word-of-mouth to drive opening day footfalls.

Samantha Pregnancy: ‘We Were Okay Not To Have Kids’

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Samantha Ruth Prabhu has opened up about her pregnancy and her journey toward motherhood, revealing that she and her husband, filmmaker Raj Nidimoru, had reached a point of peace about parenthood. The actress shared that the couple were genuinely comfortable with either having children or living without them, making her pregnancy an unexpected and joyful surprise. Samantha, who married Raj in December 2025, is now embracing this transformative phase as she prepares to welcome her first child in December 2026.

Pregnancy Discovery During Maa Inti Bangaaram Shoot

Samantha reportedly discovered her pregnancy while filming the song “Thassadiya” for Maa Inti Bangaaram. She had been feeling unwell during the shoot and eventually realised she was expecting. The revelation came as a complete surprise to both Samantha and Raj, particularly because they had not been actively planning to start a family. The actress confirmed her pregnancy publicly following the success of Maa Inti Bangaaram, which collected ₹38 Cr worldwide in its opening weekend. She has since been candid about her pregnancy journey, expressing excitement about experiencing motherhood and the transformation it brings.

Samantha and Raj Were Ready Either Way

The actress’s comments have resonated with many because they highlight a modern perspective on parenthood. Samantha’s revelation does not mean she did not want children; rather, she and Raj had made peace with whatever direction life took them. Her pregnancy has now changed that equation, with the actress looking forward to becoming a mother while continuing to share glimpses of this new chapter with her fans. Raj Nidimoru, one half of the acclaimed filmmaker duo Raj & DK known for The Family Man series, has been supportive throughout this journey.

A New Chapter After Second Marriage

Samantha married Raj Nidimoru in an intimate ceremony at the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore in December 2025. The couple first met while working on The Family Man 2 and later collaborated on Citadel: Honey Bunny. This is Samantha’s second marriage, following her divorce from actor Naga Chaitanya in 2021. The actress has spoken about finding stability and love with Raj, and her pregnancy marks a significant milestone in their relationship. Fans have been overwhelmingly supportive, celebrating this new phase in Samantha’s life as she balances her flourishing career with impending motherhood.

Ram Pothineni’s #RAPO23 – Female Lead Confirmed

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Ram Pothineni’s #RAPO23 is one of the most ambitious projects of his career as it marks his directorial debut, with the actor also playing the lead. Produced by his brother Krishna Pothineni under Rapo Cinematics, the film is a psychological action thriller with a neo-noir backdrop. Ram has written the story and plays Veera, a character described as a “Lone Wolf.” National Award-winning cinematographer Thirunavukarasu, action choreographers Peter Hein and Vikram Mor, production designer AS Prakash and music composer Sam CS are part of the technical team.

Female Lead Confirmed

The latest update is that Samyuktha has been finalised as the female lead opposite Ram Pothineni in #RAPO23. The pairing marks their first collaboration and adds another prominent name to the film’s cast. The actress was earlier reported to be in discussions for the project, before being finalised for the role. On the occasion of Samyuktha’s birthday, the makers also extended their wishes to the actress, officially highlighting her association with the much-awaited project.

Samyuktha’s Busy Line-Up

Samyuktha is currently maintaining a busy Telugu film slate. Her recent release, Akhanda 2, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna and directed by Boyapati Sreenu, ended its theatrical run as a flop, despite strong initial collections. She is also part of Puri Jagannadh’s Slum Dog – 33 Temple Road, where she stars alongside Vijay Sethupathi and Tabu. The film is directed by Puri and has already entered post-production, adding another interesting project to Samyuktha’s upcoming lineup.

Epic Review: Fails To Be An Epic

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Movie Name Epic
Rating 2.25/5
Cast Anand Deverakonda, Vaishnavi Chaitanya, Sivaji, Vasuki, Johannes Imomoh, Rohan
Director Aditya Haasan
Produced By Sithara Entertainments, Fortune Four Cinemas
Release Date 11th Sep, 2026

Our Epic review examines whether Aditya Haasan‘s romantic comedy-drama lives up to the hype. Epic – First Semester stars Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, reuniting the pair after Baby. Directed by #90s fame Aditya Haasan, the film raised decent anticipation among audiences before its release today.

Story

Epic follows Aditya, a student who comes to London for higher studies. He starts a casual relationship with Kadali, which soon becomes a live-in setup. The rest of the story shows how their relationship develops and if they grow emotionally close.

Performances

Anand Deverakonda performs naturally as a timid and innocent guy who comes to terms with life. He excels in the emotional scenes. Vaishnavi Chaitanya also performs well in her role. Shivaji and Vasuki make their presence felt though they appear for a brief period.

Analysis

Director Aditya Haasan, who impressed everyone with the #90s web series, tries to deliver an engaging and emotional love story with Epic – First Semester.

The first half starts with a positive appeal, connecting directly to #90s. The fun parts work in segments, and the romance between Anand and Vaishnavi flows well. The music and entertainment sync properly.

Till the end of the first half, there’s a nice feel though not much story gets forwarded. In the second half, Aditya tries to give an emotional and mature touch to the love story.

That approach makes Epic‘s latter half switch genres and get emotional. While some lead dialogues are good, the tension buildup feels unnatural.

The conflict in Aditya’s choice between career and life should’ve been more impactful. The phone conversation between Aditya and his father is good. But the climax, though it tries to be realistic, ends up unsatisfying.

Positives

  • Lead pair’s performance
  • Music
  • Entertaining scenes in the first half

Negatives

  • Uneven second half
  • Sensitive issues like PCOD should have been handled better
  • Weak staging of emotional scenes
  • Abrupt ending

Epic Review and Verdict

Epic by Aditya Haasan could’ve been a great love story, yet the shaky second half spoils it. Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya perform well; music and some emotional scenes stand out. Due to weak writing and screenplay, the second half fails to produce the desired effect.