There was buzz that Mahesh Babu’s next film after Varanasi was likely to be with Sandeep Vanga, but it now appears there is no chance of that happening, as the director’s lineup is proceeding as per his initial commitments.
After Spirit, many expected Sandeep Vanga to work on a project with Mahesh Babu, especially since Mahesh Babu is also expected to be free after the SSR project, leading to speculation that the film would start immediately.
But the producers and now hero Ranbir Kapoor have officially confirmed that Sandeep Vanga’s next film is Animal Park, with the shoot scheduled to begin in 2027. Hence, there is no immediate possibility of a Mahesh Babu–Sandeep Vanga collaboration. Moreover, after Animal Park, Vanga is also committed to directing a film with Allu Arjun.
Ranbir Kapoor Talks about the Animal Franchise
Ranbir Kapoor revealed that Animal Park will feature him in two roles: as both the hero and the villain. This dual role brings a new dimension to the franchise and promises a more intense and intricate storyline.
Ranbir also praised Sandeep Reddy Vanga, referring to him as an “incredibly original director.” He mentioned that they have been sharing ideas since the start and that the direction of the story is “very exciting.”
AA22, the huge budget film starring Allu Arjun and directed by Atlee, has already amassed a massive hype with the announcement. The film’s hype goes to the next level as the director talks about the plans in a recent media interaction.
Reportedly, the makers are planning to unveil the world of the film with a video glimpse, which is most likely to arrive on Allu Arjun’s birthday. It is shaping up as one of the biggest projects in Indian Cinema, and the film even targets international Audiences.
Director Atlee, who is helming AA22, said, “Every day, we are discovering something new. I am even more eager than you to share an update. We are definitely working on something special. Trust me, you are truly going to experience it at its maximum.”
NTR’s Devara, released in 2024, became a blockbuster at the box office. Though the film gave a lead to the sequel, it was believed that Devara 2 was shelved because of Tarak’s other commitments. But the producer confirms that it is very much on.
According to the producer, after completing the Prashant Neel film shoot, NTR will immediately join the sets of Devara 2, and it is not shelved. There has been continuous buzz on the internet that the film will not be made, but the makers have consistently denied these rumors, stating that the film will soon go on floors.
NTR is currently working with Prashanth Neel, and we will have to wait and see when he will complete the shoot of this biggie and move on to the second part of Devara. The fans will be happy and eager to see their favorite hero in their beloved role.
The much-awaited film starring Venkatesh and Trivikram, Aadarsha Kutumbam (AK 47), was initially announced as a summer release from the very start of its shoot. But the latest reports suggest that the release date of this entertainer has now been postponed.
According to industry buzz, the film has been pushed out of its summer slot due to delays in the planned shooting schedules. The makers are now considering an August or September release. If the delays continue, the film could even be moved to the Dasara festival season.
Although Aadarsha Kutumbam House No. 47 may not release in the summer as planned, the excitement around the film remains strong. The Venkatesh–Trivikram combination is highly anticipated by audiences. In the past, Trivikram has worked with Venkatesh as a writer on films like Vasu (dialogues only), Nuvvu Naku Nachav, and Malliswari, all of which are remembered fondly by fans.
The combination of Balakrishna and Nayanthara is one of the most successful pairings in the Telugu film industry. The duo has already worked together in three films, and fans were excited when it was announced that they would reunite once again for NBK 111, directed by Gopichand Malineni.
Balakrishna has signed his next film with Gopichand Malineni, which was initially planned as a large-scale historical epic with Nayanthara as the female lead. After a few days, due to budget revisions, the makers decided to change the storyline. As a result, Gopichand Malineni has come up with a completely new script.
No Change in the female lead of NBK 111: Nayanthara will not be replaced
There were earlier reports suggesting that Balakrishna might take up another project in between. But the team has now confirmed that there is no change in plans, and the Balakrishna– Nayanthara combination remains intact under the direction of Gopichand Malineni, though with a new story.
The latest update confirms that the actress will continue as the female lead in the new backdrop. Sources close to the team reveal that the script has been finalized, pre-production work is underway, and the shoot is expected to begin within a month with the same cast and crew. Only the story has been changed.
Ram Charan and Buchi Babu’s Peddi was announced for release on 27th March 2026. Despite continuous postponement rumours, the team consistently denied them and even stated the date of 26th March, saying that they were considering a one-day postponement.
But recently, the team informed its close sources and distributors that the film will not arrive on 27th March and will be shifted to 1st May. With this move, the 27th March slot is said to be taken by Ustaad Bhagat Singh.
Peddi: No May Release – Are the Makers Considering Another Date?
Now, the buzz is that Ram Charan’s Peddi might not even release on 1st May due to the pending shoot. The shoot itself is expected to continue for the next two months, making the May release very tough. It remains to be seen whether the team will pick a late May date or push the release to June.
Presented by Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings under the banner of Vriddhi Cinemas, the film stars Ram Charan in the titular role, alongside Janhvi Kapoor, Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, and Divyenndu.
The film’s first single, Chikiri Chikiri, became a viral Chartbuster across languages, gathering record views across streaming platforms.
Bollywood’s star singer Arijit Singh has shocked fans with a surprising announcement about his retirement. One of the most loved voices in Indian cinema, Arijit has delivered countless hit songs over the years, and his decision has left music lovers stunned.
Arijit Singh took to social media to share a heartfelt message with his fans. Wishing everyone a happy New Year, he thanked listeners for showering him with immense love throughout his journey. In his post, the singer announced that he will no longer take up any new assignments as a playback singer, calling it the end of a wonderful chapter in his life.
No More Playback Singing, Says Arijit Singh
Arijit Singh made his Hindi film debut with the song “Phir Mohabbat” from Murder 2, which marked the beginning of his rise in the music industry. He later became a household name with chartbusters like “Tum Hi Ho,” “Channa Mereya,” “Agar Tum Saath Ho,” “Raabta,” “Kesariya,” and “Apna Bana Le.” His latest hit is “Gehra Hua” from Dhurandhar.
The sudden announcement of Arijit Singh’s retirement from playback singing has deeply saddened his fans across the country. While his songs will continue to live on, Arijit Singh’s decision marks the end of an era in Bollywood music.
The Raja Saab marked the first big release for the Telugu Film industry in 2026, and sadly, it resulted in a big failure at the box office. The film’s collections did not match the expectations anywhere, and the Box Office Collections of America are out now.
The Raja Saab North America Closing Gross:
Total: $2.356M [₹21.57 Cr]
USA – $2.168M
Canada – $188K
Telugu – $2.295M
Hindi – $58K
Tamil – $3K
The Film’s break-even point is valued at $7.4M, and the recovery is just around 30%. Trade expected very huge numbers for The Raja Saab in North America, but it did not even cross Salaar and Kalki 2898 AD premieres with its closing, resulting in a big box office failure.
Even in North India, the film did not perform up to the expectations, and resulted in a big loss venture.
According to the latest reports, Mrunal Thakur is all set to make her Tamil cinema debut with STR51, which will mark her first collaboration with Silambarasan TR (Simbu). The actress is all set to enthrall fans with Dacoit, set to be released in 2026.
Mrunal Thakur began her acting career in Bollywood and later gained a strong fan base among Telugu audiences with successful films like Sita Ramam and Hi Nanna. Her performances in these films earned her praise and wide recognition.
Mrunal Thakur set to make her debut in Tamil cinema
The actress has been patiently waiting for the right project to enter Tamil cinema, and that opportunity has now arrived. She will be seen alongside Simbu in his upcoming film, tentatively titled STR51. The film will be directed by Ashwath Marimuthu.
Ashwath Marimuthu delivered a super hit last year with Dragon, starring Pradeep Ranganathan, which brought him significant attention in the industry. His new script reportedly convinced Simbu to take up the project.
The film is said to be a romantic fantasy comedy and will be produced by AGS Entertainment. The shooting is expected to begin by the end of April 2026.
Sirai (2025) is a critically acclaimed Tamil thriller drama, starring Vikram Prabhu (who appeared in Ghaati) in his 25th film. Directed by Suresh Rajakumari, the film garnered unanimous positive reviews following its OTT release. Read on for our review to discover what makes it so highly regarded.
Story:
Set in 2003, Kathiravan (Vikram Prabhu) works as a head constable in the Armed Reserve (AR) at Vellore. He is under scrutiny from senior officers due to an encounter case that is still under investigation.
Amid this pressure, he is assigned another duty: to escort Abdul Rauf (LK Akshay Kumar), a convicted murderer, to the Sivagangai Court. During the journey, Kathiravan slowly learns about Abdul’s past. The rest of the film unfolds how Abdul became a murderer and what final judgment awaits him.
Performances:
Vikram Prabhu delivers a sincere and restrained performance, doing exactly what the role demands. LK Akshay Kumar is effective in his part, but it is Anishma Anilkumar who truly stands out with her natural and impactful acting. Ananda Thambirajah and the supporting cast are also well-suited to their roles.
Analysis:
Directed by Suresh Rajakumari and co-written by Tamizh, Sirai is a well-intended thriller drama with a strong message. The film succeeds in presenting police procedures in a realistic manner. Scenes involving prisoner escorts and overcrowded courtrooms, where cases often seem pre-decided, are portrayed convincingly.
The mystery surrounding Abdul’s behavior is maintained well in the first half. The sequence where the police trio misses the bus, followed by the police station episode, is particularly engaging and well executed.
The flashback portions revealing Abdul’s backstory feel quite ordinary. The familiar setup of a Hindu–Muslim conflict affecting a love story, along with an abusive alcoholic antagonist who conveniently appears, such as during the pre-climax, gives a routine feel. These elements could have been handled in a more refreshing way.
Although the film moves through a few convenient moments, it regains momentum in the last twenty minutes. The climax comes with a pleasant surprise and provides a convincing closure to the love story.
Positives:
Performances
Truthful Narration
Emotional Scenes
Climax
Negatives:
Initial Slow Feel
Ordinary Flashback Portions
Sirai Review and Verdict:
Sirai is a well-meaning procedural thriller that gets most things right. While the slow beginning and predictable backstory slightly affect its impact, the film impresses with natural performances, well-handled emotions, and a strong, effective climax.
