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Chithha, written and directed by S.U. Arun Kumar is a fantastic example of how one can grip the audience’s attention with the sole intention of never letting it go. After picking the sensitive issue of child abuse and weaving it into the narrative centered around Eshwar (played brilliantly by Siddharth) and his niece Sundari, the film becomes a commentary on revenge and the patriarchal motivations behind such emotions. Chithha, translated as ‘uncle,’ gets extremely close to the gruesome reality of child abductions and the consequent abuse and all the violent aftermath associated with such scenarios, but it maintains its watchability, keeping the family audience in mind, but I must add that this is a hard watch for anybody. The imagination fills in the gap when the violence happens offscreen, and that is easily the most terrifying aspect of this film. But beneath the surface, the film’s spirit of...

The hit duo of Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu, who impressed the audience and critics alike with their stellar performances in the political drama Maamannan, are set to reunite for another Tamil film. The film will be produced by veteran producer R. B. Choudary under his banner Super Good Films and directed by a debutant director, who is yet to be revealed.

According to Pinkvilla, the film will be a fun road movie that will showcase the chemistry and comedy of Fahadh and Vadivelu, who will play contrasting characters. The film will also have a strong female lead, who will be finalized soon. The music will be composed by a popular composer, who has worked with both Fahadh and Vadivelu in the past.

Maamannan Trailer

The shoot of the film is expected to start in January 2024 and will be shot in various locations across India. The film is planned to be...

The new trailer for the Tamil film ‘Chandramukhi 2’ is out, and it shows an even more interesting narrative than the first one. Featuring shots of a hauntingly beautiful spirit of Chandramukhi and the lead protagonist Vettiyan, the trailer cuts back from past to present mixing supernatural thrills, action, intrigue and even comedy.

The P. Vasu directorial has a clear cut style, showing Kangana Ranaut as the beautiful court dancer Chandramukhi who in her true form is a raving and vengeful spirit, while Raghava Lawrence portrays the protagonist Vettiyan Raja.

‘Chandramukhi 2’ cuts between past and present, as a family moves inside a palace which is said to be haunted by the spirit of a medieval court dancer named Chandramukhi, who was once king Vettiyan’s favourite dancer before her death.

Throughout the trailer there is an increasingly greater element of tension, as one wonders what will happen next due...

The new trailer for the Tamil film ‘Chandramukhi 2’ is out, and it shows an even more interesting narrative than the first one. Featuring shots of a hauntingly beautiful spirit of Chandramukhi and the lead protagonist Vettiyan, the trailer cuts back from past to present mixing supernatural thrills, action, intrigue and even comedy.

The P. Vasu directorial has a clear cut style, showing Kangana Ranaut as the beautiful court dancer Chandramukhi who in her true form is a raving and vengeful spirit, while Raghava Lawrence portrays the protagonist Vettiyan Raja.

‘Chandramukhi 2’ cuts between past and present, as a family moves inside a palace which is said to be haunted by the spirit of a medieval court dancer named Chandramukhi, who was once king Vettiyan’s favourite dancer before her death.

Throughout the trailer there is an increasingly greater element of tension, as one wonders what will happen next due...

The much-awaited sequel to the blockbuster horror comedy Chandramukhi (2005) has been delayed by a week due to some technical issues. The film, which was originally scheduled to release on September 15, will now hit the screens on September 28, 2023.

The director of the film, P. Vasu, announced the news on Twitter with a poster featuring the lead actors Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut. He also promised an extra special treat for the fans who have been eagerly waiting for the film.

Chandramukhi-2 release date has been pushed to September 28 due to technical delays. Vettaiyan & Chandramukhi will be back fiercer than ever.

See you at the theatres with an extra special treat.

#PVasu

@offl_Lawrence @KanganaTeam

@mmkeeravaani

… pic.twitter.com/zrJAT7psri

— Lyca Productions (@LycaProductions) September 8, 2023

Chandramukhi 2 is a Tamil-language comedy horror film written and directed by P. Vasu, produced by Subaskaran Allirajah via Lyca Productions. It is a sequel to Chandramukhi,...

Atlee is one of the most popular and successful directors in Tamil cinema, who has inherited all the elements from his guru Shankar and added more masala and style over content. His films are always a festival for the fans, who enjoy his grandeur, his emotions, his humor, and his social messages. Except for his first film Raja Rani, all his films were big budget mass masala entertainers with every element for every section of audience. In this article, we will rank his five movies from worst to best, based on our opinion and the public response.

5. Bigil: A Predictable Sports Drama with Vijay’s Double Role Bigil Trailer

Bigil is a 2019 sports action drama that features Vijay in dual roles, as a gangster and a football coach. He trains a women’s team to win a national championship and fulfill his father’s dream. The film also stars Nayanthara as the female lead,...

South superstar Jyothika has praised Kangana Ranaut for her appearance in ‘Chandramukhi 2’ and tagged her as “one of the most talented actresses of Indian cinema,” adding that she is a huge fan of her work.

Kangana reprises a role that was played by Jyotika in the original film. Previously Kangana had expressed her admiration for Jyothika’s performance in ‘Chandramukhi,’ stating that she watches Jyothika’s iconic portrayal almost daily to prepare for her role.

In a heartwarming response, Jyotika conveyed her immense pride and excitement at seeing Kangana take on the role of Chandramukhi. She praised Kangana’s appearance and revealed herself as a huge fan of Kangana’s work.

“Feel extremely proud to see one of the most talented actresses of Indian cinema play the role of #Chandramukhi, @KanganaTeam you look ravishing and I’m a huge fan of your work and I’m waiting to see this one specially for you,...

Mumbai, Sep 3 (Ians) Director P Vasu has finally revealed the trailer of his upcoming Tamil comedy-horror film ‘Chandramukhi 2’, and it harbours much of the aura of the 2004 original, while being its own thing.

Among all this, the most noticeable is Kanga Ranaut’s portrayal of Chandramukhi, a beautifully haunting ghost of a long dead dancer.

Portraying the titular role, actress Kangana Ranaut portrays the dancer Chandramukhi, from the court of King Vettiyan Raja, and showcases her great dancing skills, along with her avatar of a beautifully seductive, and haunting dancer.

Then we also have actor Raghava Lawrence, who dishes out all the bombastic action that one can expect as Vettiyan Raja, along with Vadivelu stepping in as Murugesan and lighting up the screen with his great comic timing.

Cutting between events of the past and present, the movie has some elements of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ in it, as it is...

EntertainmentPopular actors Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim got married on August 21, 2014.Nazriya and Fahadh with their pet dog OreoActor Fahadh Faasil is known to be a bit of a social media recluse, so it was a rather special moment for his ardent fans when he took to Facebook on Monday, August 21 to pen a warm note for his wife and actor Nazriya Nazim on the occasion of their ninth wedding anniversary. “Thank you for the love. Thank you for the life. 9 years of US,” Fahadh wrote alongside a heartening picture of them together, looking away from the camera in what appears to be a foreign country. He credited the photograph to filmmaker Amal Neerad, who has directed Fahadh in films such as Iyobinte Pusthakam (2014) and Varathan (2018). On the occasion, Nazriya too took to social media to share a wholesome picture of the couple holding on to their eight-year-old dog, a Shih Tzu named Oreo.

Actress and filmmaker Kangana Ranaut, who is known for her portrayal of strong-willed characters on the screen, on Wednesday shared a glimpse of her upcoming roles, saying you are the director of your life, make it a blockbuster.

Taking to Instagram Stories, Kangana shared a collage of her looks from the three upcoming films– ‘Chandramukhi 2’, ‘Tejas’, and ‘Emergency’. Along with it she wrote: “You are the director of your life…make it a blockbuster,” followed by red heart emojis.

Kangana will be next seen in ‘Chandramukhi 2’, which is a Tamil-language comedy horror film written and directed by P. Vasu, and produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under the banner Lyca Productions. The film is a sequel to the 2005 movie ‘Chandramukhi’. It stars Raghava Lawrence and Kangana in the titular role, with Vadivelu, Srushti Dange and Lakshmi Menon in supporting roles. It is scheduled to release on September 19.

She will also...

Kangana Ranaut was brutally trolled for her Bharatanatyam dance in new ‘Chandramukhi 2’ song, ‘Swagathaanjali’ which was composed by Oscar-winning composer Mm Keeravaani. Kangana was called out for her Bharatanatyam dance in ‘Swagathaanjali’ on Twitter, with many users trolling her for butchering the artform.

On August 12, the makers of ‘Chandramukhi 2’ dropped the first single, ‘Swagathaanjali’ from the film. While many appreciated Keeravaani for the classical song, many trolled Kangana for her Bharatanatyam performance in the song.

One user said, “kangana ranaut might be a good actor but definitely not a good dancer! I mean wtf is this. Another user said, “Me, with almost 17 years of classical dance training, watching that clip of Kangana from Chandramukhi 2.”

While the actress seems to have worked hard and put a lot of efforts into the film and this song, many netizens have started trolling her and dropped memes on it. One user said,...

In MemoriamSiddique and his partner Lal were really good with situational humour and made their funniest scenes without stereotyping, at no one's expense.SiddiqueEven though Malayalam filmmaker Siddique, who passed away on August 8, is remembered along with his partner Lal for the films they wrote and directed, the two of them had begun by writing stories that others directed. They contributed to one of the most celebrated films in Malayalam, Manichitrathazhu. They were really good with situational humour and made their funniest scenes without the usual stereotyping, at anyone's expense. Later when they split ways, Siddique continued directing comedies and slipped a few into other languages too. A listicle of his films wouldn't be complete without the early films he and Lal wrote for, and without his later stints in Tamil and Hindi. Pappan Priyappetta Pappan This is the first film Siddique and Lal scripted but it was directed by Sathyan Anthikad.

EntertainmentSuriya had worked with Siddique in Friends (2001), the remake of a Malayalam movie with the same name. Expressing his condolences over the death of director Siddique, actor Suriya in a heartfelt note recalled how the late director was instrumental in helping him become a confident actor. The Malayalam director had passed away on Tuesday, August 8 following a cardiac arrest. Suriya had worked with Siddique in Friends (2001), the remake of a Malayalam movie with the same name. He said that Siddique’s demise was an irreplaceable loss. “Friends was an important film for me in many ways. Siddique Sir was inherently an encouraging man who would compliment actors even if we did a small improvement to the scene. He would convey his observations on my performance with a lot of unconditional love, both during shoot and at edit. For the first time I looked forward to being on a film set!

EntertainmentMari Selvaraj and Fahadh Faasil recently collaborated for Maamannan where the actor played the terrifying and casteist villain Rathnavelu. TwitterAnti-caste filmmaker Mari Selvaraj penned a heartfelt note for Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil’s birthday on Tuesday, August 8. The duo recently collaborated for Maamannan where Fahadh Faasil played the terrifying and casteist villain Rathnavelu. In his birthday wish, the director said that he created Rathnavelu’s character because of his expressive eyes and said that he likes them very much. Detailing the brief he gave Fahadh Faasil while playing Rathnavelu, Mari Selvaraj said, “In one eye, I asked you to firmly believe that the way of life that has been taught for generations is right. In the other eye, I had asked you to represent the confusion that the younger generation creates by asking fierce questions against the established norm. You perfectly portrayed two different lifestyles with your two eyes and carried it throughout the movie.

Social mediaAn ironic compilation of edits of the terrifying Rathnavel from Maamannan (played by Fahadh Faasil) have now become a symbol of caste pride for online caste groups, especially among the Gounders and Thevars (dominant caste groups in Tamil Nadu). It is not unusual for Tamil cinema fans to appreciate their favourite characters from movies by editing short video clips accompanied with ‘mass’ background music to express their love towards the actor and share it on social media platforms. While it is rare for antagonists to receive the same kind of adulation, Fahadh Faasil’s character Rathnavelu from Maamannan, has now been appropriated and celebrated by dominant caste groups on social media. These groups have expressed their love to Rathnavelu’s character by creating a compilation of ‘mass’ videos, asserting their caste pride by sharing them widely on social media. In anti-caste filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan, Rathnavelu, a dominant...

Chandramukhi 2, the much-awaited sequel to the blockbuster horror comedy Chandramukhi (2005), has created a buzz in the industry with its impressive first look and star cast. The film, directed by P. Vasu and starring Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles, is slated to release on Ganesh Chaturthi, September 19, 2023.

The film has also made a huge deal with two major platforms for its satellite and digital rights. According to a tweet by an unofficial but trusted source, Sun TV has secured the satellite rights for Chandramukhi 2 at a record breaking price, making it one of the most expensive Tamil films ever sold for television. The tweet also revealed that Netflix has already acquired the digital rights for a substantial sum, ensuring a wide reach for the film across the globe.

Chandramukhi 2 Poster

The tweet read: “Sun TV has secured the satellite rights for #Chandramukhi2 at a record breaking price,...

Chandramukhi 2, the much-awaited sequel to the 2005 blockbuster Chandramukhi, has finally unveiled its first look poster and release date. The film, which stars Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles, is directed by P. Vasu, who also helmed the original film. The film is produced by Lyca Productions, who are known for their lavish and spectacular movies.

The first look poster of Chandramukhi 2 features a Raghava Lawrence in traditional Indian attire. He is standing on a red carpeted staircase with gold railings. The background is a grand hall with chandeliers and a red curtain. The title of the film is written in gold lettering at the bottom of the poster. The poster also includes credits for the film’s cast and crew at the bottom.

First Look Announcement Poster

The poster has created a lot of buzz and curiosity among the fans and the audience, who are...

Maamannan is a 2023 Tamil-language political thriller film that has been making waves on Netflix since its release. The film is now trending in Number 1 in Netflix. The film is written and directed by Mari Selvaraj, who is known for his critically acclaimed films like Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan, which deal with the issues of caste oppression and social justice in Tamil Nadu. The film also features a stellar cast of Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil, and Keerthy Suresh, who have delivered powerful performances in their respective roles.

The film revolves around the conflict between Maamannan (Vadivelu), an Mla from the oppressed community, and Rathnavelu (Fahadh Faasil), the district secretary of the same party, who belongs to the dominant community. Rathnavelu is a ruthless and arrogant politician, who treats his subordinates and rivals with contempt and violence. He also indulges in dog races and kills the ones that lose. Maamannan, on the other hand,...

Writer-Director Mari Selvaraj had a generational revenge drama on his hands, but somehow, mid-way, it seems he decided to make a film on caste politics and the electoral powerplay in the country. The new film Maamannan features entertaining performances by Fahadh Faasil and Vadivelu. Udhayanidhi does a decent job of playing the hero, although his frozen face does become tiring considering the 157-minute runtime of the film.

The story of Maamannan begins by setting up the confrontation between Rathinavelu and Athiveeran, which becomes the catalyst for mending the bond between Athiveeran and his father, Maamannan. Maamannan goes through a radical change in his personality and starts his fight against the oppression that he has endured in the name of tradition.

Spoilers Ahead

Plot Synopsis: What Happens in ‘Maamannan’?

The seed of the story was sown many years ago. Maamannan’s son Athiveeran went swimming with his friends in a well,...

The fans of the 2005 blockbuster Chandramukhi are eagerly waiting for the sequel, which is slated to release on September 15, 2023. The film, titled Chandramukhi 2, stars Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles, reprising the roles of Rajinikanth and Jyothika from the original. The film is directed by P. Vasu, who also helmed the first part, and produced by Lyca Productions.

The latest update from the team is that veteran comedian Vadivelu, who plays a pivotal role in the film, has started his dubbing work. Vadivelu, who is making a comeback with this film after a hiatus of six years, will be seen as a comic relief in the film, as well as a key character in the climax. Vadivelu had earlier won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Comedian for his performance in Chandramukhi.

The team also revealed that the background score work is happening in...

New Delhi, July 27 (Ians) With Ott platforms dishing up an overflowing platter of options, it’s hard to put together a must-watch list, especially if it’s limited to five. Here are the five new titles that have caught the attention of Ians:

From an investigative crime drama to a gripping thriller, to a love story, Ians has put together a slate that should grab the interest of diverse audiences, spanning interests and languages.

This week’s must-watch array of multi-genre content includes Urvashi’s 700th movie ‘Appatha’ to Vijay Varma and Shweta Tripathi’s investigative drama ‘Kaalkoot’. We also have Tamil political thriller ‘Maamannan’ to ‘Choona’, a thrilling heist drama loaded with perfect comic punches.

And, don’t forget Raveena Tandon and Milind Soman’s ‘One Friday Night’, which explores the complexities of relationships.

Kaalkoot

The investigative drama stars Vijay Varma and Shweta Tripathi Sharma, along with Yashpal Sharma,...

If you are looking for a gripping and engaging political drama with a star-studded cast, then you might want to check out Maamannan, a Tamil-language film that is now available on Netflix. The film, directed by Mari Selvaraj and produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin, features Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil, and Keerthy Suresh in the lead roles. The music is composed by the legendary A. R. Rahman.

Maamannan, which means Emperor in Tamil, tells the story of a father and son duo who belong to an oppressed community and rise up in the political arena.

Maamannan Trailer

The film explores the themes of social justice, caste oppression, political rivalry, and family dynamics. It also showcases the culture and history of Tamil Nadu, especially the Adimurai martial art form. The film has some intense action sequences, emotional moments, and witty dialogues. The performances of the actors are commendable, especially Vadivelu, who is...

Mm Keeravaani, the Oscar-winning music composer, has shared his experience of working on the music for the upcoming horror film Chandramukhi 2, starring Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut. He said that he had to spend two months of sleepless nights and days to compose the music for the film, which has some mind-blowing scenes.

Chandramukhi 2 is a Tamil horror film directed by P Vasu and produced by Lyca Productions. It is a remake of the Kannada film Apthamitra (2004), which itself was a remake of the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu (1997). The film features Raghava Lawrence and Kangana Ranaut in the lead roles, along with Vadivelu, Radhika, Lakshmi Menon, Srushti Dange, Mahima Nambiar, and Ravi Maria in supporting roles.

Chandramukhi Video Song

The film revolves around a couple who move into a haunted mansion, where they encounter a vengeful spirit of a dancer named Chandramukhi. The film is expected to release on Ganesh Chaturthi this year.

KollywoodMaamannan is Mari Selvaraj’s third film, starring Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Keerthy Suresh and others.Vadivelu and director Mari Selvaraj fans can rejoice. Netflix has announced that Maamannan is set to stream on the Ott platform from July 27. Mari’s third film, and another success, is an anti-caste take on the cult classic, but caste-pride film Thevar Magan (1992) that had starred Vadivelu in a supporting role. Set in the Kongu belt of Tamil Nadu, in Salem, Maamannan also provides an insight into electoral politics in the region. Vadivelu as the titular character, plays a Dalit Mla from a reserved constituency. The story tracks his empowering journey alongside his son Adheeveran (Udhayanidhi Stalin) as he takes on caste oppressors within his own fictional political party. The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Maamannan cements Vadivelu, known primarily for comedy roles, as a powerful character actor. Maamannan also...

Netflix is bringing two exciting films from the South Indian cinema industry to its platform soon. One is Maamannan, a Tamil political thriller that will premiere on July 27. The other is Padmini, a Malayalam film that will be released later.

Maamannan, directed by Mari Selvaraj, features an ensemble cast of Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh. The film explores the conflict between an Mla from an oppressed community and a district secretary from a dominant community, who are both members of the same party. The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, but has been appreciated for its performances and social message.

Padmini, directed by Senna Hegde, stars Kunchacko Boban, Madonna Sebastian and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles. The film is a fun-filled tale of Rameshan, a part-time poet and a full-time college teacher, whose life takes a standstill when an extremely embarrassing situation makes...

Netflix is bringing two exciting films from the South Indian cinema industry to its platform soon. One is Maamannan, a Tamil political thriller that will premiere on July 27. The other is Padmini, a Malayalam film that will be released later.

Maamannan, directed by Mari Selvaraj, features an ensemble cast of Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh. The film explores the conflict between an Mla from an oppressed community and a district secretary from a dominant community, who are both members of the same party. The film has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences, but has been appreciated for its performances and social message.

Padmini, directed by Senna Hegde, stars Kunchacko Boban, Madonna Sebastian and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles. The film is a fun-filled tale of Rameshan, a part-time poet and a full-time college teacher, whose life takes a standstill when an extremely embarrassing situation makes...

Film CommentaryMari said that Maamannan, his film’s powerful protagonist, is a reimagination of Esaki, a subservient character in ‘Thevar Magan’ who is willing to sacrifice his life for his master Sakthivelu, played by Kamal Haasan.Letting out a spoiler during the film Maamannan’s audio launch, Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj said that his anti-caste film with Vadivelu and Udhayanidhi Stalin in the lead roles was “inspired” by the cult classic 1992 film Thevar Magan. Mari said that the powerful character of ‘Maamannan’, his film’s protagonist, is a reimagination of ‘Esaki’, a subservient character in Thevar Magan who is willing to sacrifice his life for his master ‘Sakthivelu’, played by Kamal Haasan. It is no coincidence, according to Mari, that he chose Vadivelu, who plays Esaki in Thevar Magan, to now play the reimagined character of Maamannan. Mari establishes the politics of Maamannan from the very first shot, just like...

EntertainmentBesides two Hollywood biggies, there is much to look forward to in India’s cinemas this July — some more exciting than others. Here are some films to catch in theatres this month.Between Greta Gerwig’s wild live-action meta-comedy Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s epic historical drama Oppenheimer, Hollywood film fans are spoiled for choice this July. The widely different genres of the two films, the anticipation surrounding both, and the decision to release them on the same day (July 21) have tickled many a funny bone, with the internet even christening the face-off ‘Barbenheimer’. But besides these two Hollywood biggies, there is much more to look forward to in India’s cinemas this July — some more exciting than others. Here are seven films, across industries and languages, that we can’t wait to catch in theatres this month. Maamannan - In theatres Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan was released in theatres...

ControversyThe popular anti-caste director tweeted his praise for ‘Maamannan’ and also stated his concerns regarding the treatment of Dalit MLAs within their own parties.In the wake of Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan receiving wide praise from audiences and critics alike, director Pa Ranjith has spoken out on the politics of the film. Maamannan stars actor-producer and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Dmk) minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Congratulating Udhayanidhi and Mari Selvaraj, Pa Ranjith said, “As an actor, producer and minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin truly deserves praise. He himself must be aware of the immense challenge of caste discrimination within the Dmk. We believe that through this movie [Maamannan] Udhayanidhi will take the first step toward abolishing discrimination inside the party.” The plot of Maamannan revolves around a Dalit Mla (Vadivelu) who is discriminated against by members of his own party on the basis of his caste. This fictional party in the film claims that...

Kollywood The movie, starring Udhayanidhi, Vadivelu, Fahadh Fassil, and Keerthy Suresh, was released on June 29 and has garnered critical acclaim as well as positive responses from audiences. Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house Red Giant Movies has presented a Mini Cooper, a luxury sports car, to director Mari Selvaraj in recognition of the success of their latest film, Maamannan. The movie, starring Udhayanidhi, Vadivelu, Fahadh Fassil, and Keerthy Suresh, was released on June 29 and has garnered critical acclaim as well as positive responses from audiences. Maamannan marks Mari Selvaraj’s third triumphant anti-caste film, following the success of Pariyerum Perumal (2018) and Karnan (2021). Udhayanidhi took to his social media platform to announce the gift and shared pictures of the presentation. In a tweet, he expressed his gratitude to Mari Selvaraj, stating that the film has sparked discussions and debates among Tamils worldwide. Udhayanidhi emphasised that Maamannan has effectively conveyed the principles of...

Actor ProfileFrom comedy to singing, to moving audiences and fellow actors to tears in emotional scenes, Vadivelu, fondly called Vaigai Puyal, has done it all.Vennaam. Valikuthu. Azhuthuduven. Did you just hear these three iconic words in Vadivelu’s voice? If you did, it’s a testament to how much the celebrated Tamil comedian’s dialogues are burnt into our collective memory. It has been 35 years since Vadivelu, affectionately called Vaigai Puyal (Vaigai Storm) by his fans, was first seen on screen in En Thangai Kalyani (1988). The epithet is a reference to the famed Vaigai river that flows through the actor’s hometown of Madurai. All these decades later, Vadivelu and his work continue to defy both expectations and easy categorisation. Simultaneously, many of his dialogues have become embedded in spoken Tamil, offering succinct witticisms to use for everyday problems. The actor has delivered some of the most memorable scenes in Tamil cinema comedy,...

Kangana Ranaut is surely on a roll professionally. While she is all geared up to deliver a stellar performance with Emergency, there is another big announcement from the actor, director, and producer. Yes, with her latest post, Kangana has issued a statutory warning about Chandramukhi returning.

Sharing the Chandramukhi 2 poster, Kangana confirmed that Chandramukhi is coming back this Ganesh Chaturthi.

While this scares many to their bits, fans are also very excited for this spooky horror to return. Chandramukhi 2 directed by P Vasu stars Raghava Lawrence, Vadivelu, and others. Produced by Lyca productions and Subaskaran the film will release in September in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada.

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A post shared by Kangana Ranaut (@kanganaranaut)...

ReviewAfter ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ and ‘Karnan’, director Mari Selvaraj is back with yet another film that will redefine how Kollywood talks about caste. FilmPoster/CourtesyMariSelvarajTwitterThe heart and soul of Maamannan is Vadivelu. After all, the title takes the name of his character. And it feels as if the actor never forgets that for even a moment when he is in front of the camera. This is a Vadivelu so spectacularly in form that you cry when he cries, and you are enraged for him when his grief gives way to anger. Nearly every minute of the story you are made to travel with him. Mari Selvaraj, after Pariyerum Perumal (2018) and Karnan (2021), delivers yet another film that will redefine how Kollywood talks about caste. The film is set in the Kongu-belt, in Salem district. Maamannan (Vadivelu) is a Dalit Mla from Kasipuram. His son Adhiveeran, fondly called Veeran, (Udhayanidhi Stalin) and him...

KollywoodMari Selvaraj took to Twitter to share a picture with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mk Stalin, who he said hugged and appreciated them after watching ‘Maamannan’.TwitterJust hours into the release of Mari Selvaraj’s latest and much-anticipated film Maamannan, praise has already begun to pour in. On Twitter, Mari Selvaraj shared a picture with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mk Stalin, who he said was all praise for the film. “After watching Maamannan, Chief Minister Mk Stalin hugged and appreciated us. We offer our gratitude and love to him,” said the director. The film features Vadivelu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, and Fahadh Faasil in lead roles. Actor and producer Dhanush, who watched the film on Thursday, June 28, also took to Twitter to share his appreciation. “Maamannan by Mari selvaraj is an emotion. A big hug to you Mari. Vadivelu sir and Udhayanidhi Stalin have delivered a very convincing performance. Great...

NewsThe petitioner claimed that the release of Maamannan could lead to communal tensions.A writ petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a ban on director Mari Selvaraj’s Maamannan, claiming that the film might stoke communal tensions between Thevars (dominant community) and Devendra Kula Velalars (Dalit community). The film is scheduled to release on Thursday, June 29. Maamannan stars actors Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil, Keerthy Suresh and Udhayanidhi Stalin. The petitioner, Manikandan, who belongs to Thevar community, demanded the Central Board of Film Certification to revoke the censorship certificate of Maamannan and further completely ban the film’s screening. Manikandan claimed that after watching the trailer and audio launch of the film, he suspects that Maamannan will induce “religious fanaticism” between Thevars and Devendra Kula Velalars. He said that Mari Selvaraj’s previous film Karnan was based on a true incident between Thevars and Devendra Kula Velalars. Mari...

NewsIn 7 aum Arivu, Shruti Haasan, who is a genetic engineer, claims that talented people are fleeing India because of reservation, recommendation and corruption.Actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin, scion of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party (Dmk), disclosed that actor Suriya, in the lead role in 7aum Arivu, had objected to a piece of dialogue in the film that sounds anti-reservation. It was Udhayanidhi’s production house Red Giant Movies that had produced it. Though Suriya’s advice was well-meant, he chose to ignore it because of his inadequate understanding of the concept of social justice and Dmk’s own unwavering fight towards achieving it. In a scene in the film (released in 2011) where a group of scientists dismiss Shruti Haasan’s absurd theory of ‘reviving skills through genetic transfer,’ Shruti retorts, “Because of reservation, recommendation, corruption, talented people are fleeing India.” (She was the heroine.) In an interview, while promoting his film Maamannan,...

Cinema“The voice in the film is an important one. It is not just Mari’s but the voice of crores of people. This is a generation which dictates the path of India, and films are necessary for that,” Kamal said.Ever since Mari Selvaraj’s speech during the audio launch of Maamannan was televised, the director has been either subjected to criticism or applause and his views on Thevar Magan movie have become a raging topic of discussion. However, actor Kamal Haasan, who was the chief guest for the event, has appreciated Mari Selvaraj for his politics. “I have been watching your films since Pariyerum Perumal. One quality I like about you is, instead of defining who is the opposition, intending to change the society, you attempt to give even the oppressors a neutral space. When you are in anger that thought does not occur. But your thought proves your quest for equality,...

KollywoodMari Selvaraj, who is known for his anti-caste movies, said that watching Thevar Magan distressed him greatly and did not understand whether the movie was right or wrong.Anti-caste Tamil filmmaker Mari Selvaraj said that Thevar Magan, considered an iconic movie in Tamil cinema, had inspired him to make his latest movie, Maamannan–by reimagining the film about Thevars, a dominant community, with Dalit characters. In his speech during the audio launch of Maamannan’s on June 1, the director in the presence of actor Kamal Haasan, the lead actor of Thevar Magan, confessed to him that he did not understand whether Thevar Magan was right or wrong when he watched it for the first time. Besides playing the lead role, Kamal Haasan also wrote and produced Thevar Magan. Mari Selvaraj said on stage, “Today Thevar Magan is treated as a masterpiece. Every director would have watched it before making their films.

TrailerMari Selvaraj’s ‘Maamannan’, starring Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vadivelu, Fahadh Faasil and Keerthy Suresh, is expected to release on June 29. The trailer of filmmaker Mari Selvaraj’s highly anticipated Maamannan was released on Friday, June 16. The trailer begins with Vadivelu’s dialogue in the background, “I might be singing the same song, but I will sing it as long as I live. I shall rip my gut out, transform it into a lute and make its strings echo in every street. I will keep seeking the ears which want to hear the truth.” These lines are from a poem written by Telugu poet Nagamuni. Director Mari Selvaraj is known for the strong anti-caste themes in his films, and Maamannan is his third film after Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan. The trailer shows Vadivelu in the role of a musician who passes his art down to young children. Udhayanidhi Stalin is seen in the role of his son.

EntertainmentMari Selvaraj’s ‘Maamannan’ was speculated to be Tn Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s last film as an actor, before shifting his focus entirely to his political career. Red Giant Movies/TwitterAmid speculation over actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin possibly quitting acting in films after the upcoming political thriller Maamannan, the Tamil Nadu Minister has announced that he might make a comeback in films after three years, at the end of his term as the state Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development. Udhayanidhi made this statement at the audio launch event of the film Maamannan on June 1, Thursday. In Maamannan, Udhayanidhi plays one of the lead roles alongside Keerthy Suresh. The film also stars actors Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil. The movie is directed by filmmaker Mari Selvaraj, known for his anti-caste works. Read: Top wrestler says she complained to Pm about Brij Bhushan in 2021 “I have too much work to do [in politics]. Maamannan...

Entertainment 'Maamannan', which stars actors Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, Vadivelu, and Fahadh Faasil among others, is directed by anti-caste director Mari Selvaraj.Facebook/Ar RahmanOscar-winning music composer Ar Rahman will perform live at the audio launch of upcoming Tamil film Maamannan on Thursday, June 1. The event is scheduled to be organised at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Maamannan, which stars actors Udhayanidhi Stalin, Keerthy Suresh, Vadivelu, and Fahadh Faasil among others, is being directed by anti-caste director Mari Selvaraj of Pariyerum Perumal and Karnan fame. The film's trailer will also be released at the audio launch event. Two songs from Maamannan have already been released. 'Raasa Kannu', an emotional song sung by veteran Tamil actor-comedian Vadivelu, has received rave reviews and clocked over 6.2 million views on YouTube. The second song, 'Jigu Jigu Rail', has crossed 3 million views on YouTube. 'Jigu Jigu Rail' particularly won appreciation from many Rahman...

KollywoodThe first look poster shows Udhayanidhi in a dark suit, flanked by Vadivelu and Fahadh Faasil.TwitterOn May Day morning, director Mari Selvaraj released the first look poster of his much anticipated film, Maamannan starring Udhayanidhi Stalin in the lead. Apart from Vadivelu, whose appearance in the film was already announced, Fahadh Faasil is also part of the cast, according to the new announcement. The film is set to release in June. The film is produced by Red Giant Movies, which is also headed by Udhayanidhi Stalin. Maamannan, according to a previous announcement by Udhayanidhi, is to be the actor-politician’s final appearance on screen. He was last seen in Kannai Nambathey earlier this year. Keerthy Suresh is also starring in Maamannan. The music for the film is composed by Ar Rahman. The first look poster shows Udhayanidhi in a dark suit, flanked by Vadivelu and Fahadh. Vadivelu, often referred to as Vaigai Puyal,...

ReviewIf Kalki’s literary magnum opus belongs to Arunmozhi Varman, Mani Ratnam’s film belongs to Aditha Karikalan. And who can resist Vikram when he’s at the top of his game?Courtesy: Twitter/ Lyca ProductionsThe first part of Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan, co-written with Jeyamohan and Elango Kumaravel, began with Aditha Karikalan (Vikram) defeating the Rashtrakutas but refusing to behead their king. He circles the king on his horse, but when the moment arrives, his face clouds with a memory. He knocks off his headgear instead of his head. This is a battle-ready, aggressive prince but his rage is directed most at himself. The love he once harboured has twisted itself into hate. The first film ended with Arunmozhi Varman (Jayam Ravi) falling into the sea, but the second film doesn’t begin from there. Instead, it goes back to that love story once again. A young Karikalan...

The cast and crew of the upcoming Tamil action-thriller film ‘Leo’, starring Vijay, has shared that they are safe after they felt tremors in Jammu and Kashmir.

Strong tremors were felt in India after an quake jolted Afghanistan on Tuesday night.

The ‘Leo’ team took to their Twitter page to share that they are safe.

Seven Screen Studios, makers of the film shared that they are safe by sharing a Vadivelu Gif from the film ‘Chandramukhi’.

“We are safe nanba! – Team #Leo,” they tweeted.

This would be a second collaboration between Vijay and filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj after the hit ‘Master’.

The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Mysskin, Gautham and Priya Anand among others.

Top stars feature in an 18-strong Tamil-language film slate that will bow on Netflix after theatrical release.

Several of the titles will also be made available on the service in the Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi languages.

Dream Warrior Pictures has “Japan,” starring Karthi, directed by Rajumurugan, Studio Green has “Thangalaan,” starring Vikram, directed by Pa. Ranjith and Sithara Entertainments/Srikara Studios/ Fortune Four Cinemas, “Vaathi,” starring Dhanush, directed by Venky Atluri.

Lyca Productions has six films on the slate led by a project identified as “AK62,” the next film from Ajith Kumar, who currently has “Thunivu” on release. P. Vasu’s “Chandramukhi 2,” starring Raghava Lawrence, the sequel to the 2005 smash hit starring superstar Rajinikanth is also from Lyca, as are their untitled 18th production, starring Vidaarth and Yogi Babu and directed by T. Arulchezhian; their 20th production, starring Jai and Aishwarya Rajesh, directed by Rohin Venkatesan; and 24th production featuring Bharatiraja and Arulnithi,...

CinemaThis comes shortly after Udhayanidhi Stalin was sworn in as a Cabinet Minister on December 14. Tnm StaffFacebook/ Udhayanidhi StalinShortly after Udhayanidhi Stalin, the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (Dmk) youth wing secretary and Mla from the Chepauk-Thiruvallikeni constituency in Chennai was sworn in as the state minister on Wednesday, December 14, he announced that the upcoming Tamil movie Maamannan would be his last film as an actor. Speaking to the media after the swearing in ceremony on December 14, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is the son of Chief Minister Mk Stalin, said in Tamil, “No, I am not acting anymore. I was supposed to act in a movie produced by Kamal sir. When he came to know about this, he was the first one to congratulate. The last film would be Maamannan with Thiru Mari Selvaraj,” he said. However, it is unclear whether Udhayanidhi will continue to produce and distribute films under his home banner Red Giant Movies.

ReviewFor fans of Vadivelu, including this reviewer, Naai Sekar Returns falls terribly short of all the fun it promised. Sadly, this entire review cannot be written with just Vadivelu’s most iconic punchlines.Bharathy SingaravelTrailerScreenGrab"Naam yaaruku enna theengu seidhom?” I muse, ten minutes into the much-awaited Naai Sekar Returns. The title makes a call back to Vadivelu’s character in Thalai Nagaram (2006) in which he plays a laughably over-the-top rowdy called Naai Sekar. I wish I could write this review for ‘Vaigai Puyal’ Vadivelu’s return to the big screen entirely in his own iconic dialogues. The line from Imsai Arasan 23 Pulikesi (2006), the actor’s historical satire, remains a meme-favourite as much as the film continues to hold on to its legendary status. But that dialogue also has a life and emotion of its own. Every Tamil who has grown up on Vadivelu’s comedy understands the wry pity...

Actress Mahima Nambiar, who plays a pivotal role in director P Vasu’s much-awaited horror comedy ‘Chandramukhi 2’, recently chose to celebrate the wrapping up of another schedule of the film with a Bhangra dance.

Taking to Instagram, the actress, who has delivered commendable performances in critically acclaimed films such as ‘Magamuni’, posted a video in which she is seen dancing with two of her makeup artistes to the popular Daler Mahendi number ‘Bolo Tararara’.

She wrote, “And that’s how we celebrated the schedule wrap !!#Chandramukhi2 #schedulewrap #caravandiaries #myteam #supportsystem #bolotararara #dance”

The film, which has music by M M Keeravaani and cinematography by R D Rajasekar, features actor Raghava Lawrence in the lead.

Produced by Lyca Productions, one of Tamil cinema’s top production houses, the film has huge expectations riding on it as it is a sequel to the blockbuster ‘Chandramukhi’, featuring superstar Rajinikanth, Prabhu, Jyothika, Nayanthara, Nasser and Vadivelu among others.

InterviewComedy thriller ‘Saakini Daakini’ is a remake of the Korean film ‘Midnight Runners’ and stars Nivetha Thomas and Regina Cassandra in the lead.Rajeswari ParasaNivethaThomas/InstagramThe upcoming Tollywood comedy thriller, Saakini Daakini, has fans intrigued because both the main leads are female. Though it is common to see two female leads in Telugu movies, they are always accompanied by a hero. Starring Nivetha Thomas and Regina Cassandra, the movie is all set to hit the big screens on September 16. A remake of the 2017 Korean film, Midnight Runners, it revolves around the crime of egg trafficking. Directed by Sudheer Varma, the film is produced by Suresh Productions, Guru Films and Kross Pictures. Ahead of Saakini Daakini’s release, The News Minute caught up with Nivetha Thomas, who plays Shalini, referred to as Saakini, in the film. The actor spoke about her preparation for the role, the reasons behind the change in...

Keerthy Suresh, who plays the female lead in director Mari Selvaraj’s much-awaited entertainer, ‘Maamannan’, has announced that she has wrapped up shooting for her portions in the film. On Monday, the entire unit of Maamannan, which features Udhayanidhi Stalin and Fahadh Faasil as the male leads, celebrated the birthday of popular Tamil comedian Vadivelu on the sets of the film.

Keerthy, who took part in the birthday celebrations of Vadivelu on the sets of ‘Maamannan’, posted pictures of the celebration and wrote: “Super happy to wrap up #Maamannan along with Vaigai Puyal Vadivel sir’s birthday. Happy Birthday sir.”

“Thank you for this incredible journey, Udhayanidhi Stalin, Mari Selvaraj, Fahadh Faasil, Vadivelu sir, Theni Eswar and team.”

The film, which is being produced by Udhayanidhi Stalin’s production house, Red Giant Movies, has music by A R Rahman and cinematography by Theni Eswar.