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Songs celebrating friendship are so prevalent in our cinema that it becomes difficult to say which came first: dosti or dosti ke gaane. Subhash K Jha lists his selections for the best dosti ke gaane.

In recent times, the only really rousing friendship song was heard in the Kartik Aaryan starrer Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety. The song ‘Tera yaar hoon main, Tu jo rootha toh kaun hansega,Tu jo chhoota toh kaun rahega, Tu chup hai toh yeh darr lagta hai, Apna mujhko ko ab kaun kahega, Tu hi wajah…Tere bina bewajah bekar hoon main, Tera yaar hoon main’ written by Kumaar and composed by Rochak Kohli is sung by Arijit Singh with exceptional feeling. Arijit counts this among his personal favourite songs. Kartik Aaryan’s sincere and heartfelt emotive acumen added substantially to the song’s impact.

‘Tera Yaar Hoon Main’ is indeed comparable with ‘Diye jalte hain Phool Khilte Hain,...

Subhash K Jha along with quotes fromFilmistaan, celebrate the incredible talent and range of the late singer Kk (Krishnakumar Kunnath), in this special feature.

He left us too soon. But left behind songs to swoon.

1.’Tadap tadap ke is dil se aah nikalti rahi’ (Hum…Dil Chuke Sanam):

Kk’s breakthrough song was a master blaster. His range was not just strange; it was a revelation. Sanjay Leela Bhansali recalls the moment when he decided Kk was the ‘It’ man. “What a singer! His voice had the throw of a pro. I remember when composer Ismail Durbar had come to me with the song ‘Tadap tadap ke’ it was in Kk’s voice. Normally, scratch recordings (sample recordings) are done in temporary voices. But when I heard the song, my first response was, ‘Oh my God! What a voice! Who’s this? Where did you find him?’ Ismail said...

It’s almost a given now, put Nawazuddin Siddiqui in any role, and he’ll turn it into something memorable, and his latest turn as Costao Fernandez is no different. “Costao” is a serious film at heart, but there are these unexpected pockets of humor, mostly when Costao is spending time with his wife and kids. Those scenes feel warm, grounded, and Nawaz adds just the right touch of dry, offbeat humor. These scenes aren’t the highlights of the film, but thanks to their comic timings, they will stick with you.

We’ve seen Nawaz pull this off before, too. Take “Kick” or “Raees,” for example. In the latter, he played a no-nonsense cop, but still managed to deliver hilarious one-liners without breaking the tone of the film. That’s what makes him special. He never lets go of the seriousness of the role, yet finds those small windows...

A Look At The Top 5 Malayalam Horror Films(Photo Credit –Prime Video/SonyLiv)

Why do we watch horror films? What draws us to fear, to the thrill of being scared? Over time, the horror genre has transformed, but many modern horror films no longer have the same impact, largely because they’ve become predictable. We often see the scares coming, making the experience less terrifying. Even in Mollywood, the trend is similar. Yet, the Malayalam film industry has a rich legacy of horror that dates back to its black-and-white era. In this piece, we’ll look at five recent Malayalam horror films that are still worth watching for their unique take on the genre.

5. Vadakkan (2025)

Available On: Prime Video

Vadakkan stars Kishore Kumar G. as a paranormal investigator originally from Kerala, who is now based overseas. He is summoned back to his homeland after several contestants and crew members of...

Stories of ordinary individuals standing tall against corrupt systems, criminal networks, and oppressive powers have long resonated with audiences. With Costao premiering on ZEE5 Global on May 1, the platform once again brings to life a compelling tale of courage and conviction, where one man dares to defy impossible odds.

Inspired by true events, Costao stars Nawazuddin Siddiqui as a fearless customs officer who challenges a sprawling empire of smuggling and corruption. This gripping film joins a rich legacy of Indian cinema where singular, unbreakable protagonists fight against the tide. Here’s a look at Costao and other iconic Bollywood and Ott films that spotlight one man’s fight against all odds.

1. Costao (2025)

Platform: ZEE5 Global | Premiere Date: May 1, 2025

Set in the turbulent world of 1990s Goa, Costao is inspired by the real-life story of a heroic customs officer who stood alone against a corrupt empire built on crime and smuggling.

Global, April 21, 2025: ZEE5 Global, the world’s largest streaming platform for South Asian content, unveils the trailer of the much-awaited and anticipated film – ‘Costao’. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1990s Goa, Costao tells the gripping story of a fearless customs officer who dared to defy an empire built on smuggling, corruption, and fear.

Nawazuddin Siddiqui delivers a powerhouse performance as Costao Fernandes — a sharp, unconventional enforcer whose bold tactics and unrelenting pursuit for justice puts him at odds with both the criminal underworld and the very system he serves. Directed by debutant Sejal Shah, the movie also stars – Priya Bapat, Kishore Kumar G, Gagan Dev Riar & Hussain Dalal. Premiering on May 1, Costao is a story about courage, sacrifice, and the brutal price of standing against the face of a corrupt empire.

Trailer Link:

Set in a world steeped in corruption and ruled by crime, as revealed in the trailer,...

Is L2: Empuraan coming to Ott?(Photo Credit –Facebook)

The Ott release announcement was made on social media by none other than the movie’s lead actor, Mohanlal. L2: Empuraan went through several difficulties even before its theatrical release. At one point, differences between the two production houses involved in the project, Lyca Productions and Aashirvad Cinemas, threatened to delay the release.

However, everything eventually worked out when Sree Gokulam Movies stepped in. But the controversies didn’t end after the theatrical release.

Mohanlal’s L2: Empuraan was criticized for excessive violence and its depiction of certain historical events. As a result, the movie was edited to remove some of those portions, and a revised version was released in theatres nearly five days after its initial run began. It is expected that this edited version will be the one released on Ott.

L2: Empuraan Plot:

As the sequel to Lucifer,...

L2: Empuraan Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Mohanlal, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Tovino Thomas, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Kishore Kumar G., Manju Warrier, Indrajith Sukumaran, Nikhat Khan, Baiju Santhosh, Jerome Flynn, Fazil

Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran

L2: Empuraan Movie Review (Photo Credit – Instagram)

What’s Good: The film delivers a world-class experience, particularly in its action choreography, CGI, and overall visual spectacle.

What’s Bad: The film maintains a fast pace but lags in certain moments, giving the impression of a series of trailers stitched together in a nonlinear format. The background score is bass-heavy and, at times, feels overwhelming.

Loo Break: The film doesn’t give you the luxury of a loo break apart from the interval.

Watch or Not?: If you’re a fan of fast-paced action films, this one is highly recommended, especially if you enjoyed Kgf. However, if action-packed movies aren’t your thing, this might not be for you.

Rajinikanth & Vetrimaaran Meeting | Possible Film Collaboration | Superstar’s Next Project ( Photo Credit – Twitter )

Rajinikanth’s fans are eagerly awaiting the release of his upcoming film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj. While excitement for the movie is already high, a new piece of news has further fueled their enthusiasm.

According to a report by 123Telugu, the legendary superstar recently had a meeting with renowned filmmaker Vetrimaaran to discuss the possibility of collaborating on a new project. The report suggests that Rajinikanth was impressed with the story idea presented to him. However, as of now, there is no official confirmation regarding the project, and these discussions remain speculative. Fans will have to wait for an official announcement to see if this exciting collaboration becomes a reality.

Vetrimaaran is renowned for crafting films that revolve around pressing social issues, as seen in the Viduthalai franchise and Asuran. If this collaboration materializes, there is...

Is Pooja Hegde collaborating with Rajinikanth for Coolie? (Photo Credit – Instagram/YouTube)

A new report from the YouTube channel Valai Pechu suggests that actress Pooja Hegde might have a song and dance sequence in the film. However, the makers have not confirmed this, so for now, it’s just a rumor, though there’s a strong chance it could be true.

The rumor about Pooja Hegde’s possible song and dance sequence in Coolie isn’t the only speculation surrounding the film. Another widespread rumor suggests that the movie, which was initially planned for a theatrical release in May 2025, might be postponed to August 2025.

However, just like the previous report, the makers have not issued any official statement to confirm or deny these claims. Until an official announcement is made, the release month remains uncertain.

Trending Gopichand Takes A Major Risk & Teams Up With Director Behind Recent Box-Office Flops

When...

All You Need To Know About Kishore’s Vadakkan (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Vadakkan, the Malayalam horror-paranormal thriller, has been making waves at film festivals around the globe. However, the general audience hasn’t had the chance to watch it yet. That’s about to change, as the makers have announced its theatrical release and unveiled a striking first-look poster.

Before hitting the theaters, Vadakkan has already earned significant acclaim. The film won the Best Supernatural Thriller Award at the Fright Night Film Fest held in Kentucky in 2024, marking a historic milestone as the first Malayalam film to achieve this honor. In Europe, it bagged the Best Feature Film award at the Red Movie Awards in France and was showcased at the prestigious Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival.

With such achievements under its belt, seeing how Vadakkan performs at the box office will be exciting!

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A...

Salman Khan Rajinikanth Collaboration (Photo Credit – Instagram/Facebook)

Kollywood superstar Rajinikanth, fondly referred to as Thalaivar by his fans, and Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, affectionately known as Bhaijaan, is reportedly set to collaborate on a film directed by Atlee, according to a report by Moneycontrol. Atlee has established himself as a successful filmmaker in both Kollywood and Bollywood, delivering hits like Jawan with Shah Rukh Khan in Bollywood and blockbusters such as Bigil, Theri, and others in Kollywood.

It is well-known that Sun Pictures shares a strong relationship with Rajinikanth, as some of their most successful films, such as Jailer and Enthiran, featured the superstar. According to Moneycontrol’s sources, there is a strong belief that Sun Pictures could bring Salman Khan and Rajinikanth together for a film.

Salman Khan and Atlee have been in touch for the past two years, with discussions about a potential film progressing steadily. A...

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The Night Agent is a conspiracy action thriller drama series created by Shawn Ryan. Based on the novel of the same name by Matthew Quirk, the Netflix series follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland as he begins his job at the White House, but he soon finds himself embroiled in a vast conspiracy involving people high up in the current administration. The Night Agent stars Gabriel Basso, Luciane Buchanan, Fola Evans-Akingbola, Sarah Desjardins, Eve Harlow, and Phoenix Raei. So, if you loved the intense story, thrilling action, and compelling characters in The Night Agent, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

Jack Ryan (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Jack Ryan is a spy action thriller drama series created by Carlton Cuse and Graham Roland. Based on the characters created by Tom Clancy, the Prime Video series follows Jack Ryan,...

What Did Rajinikanth Say About Coolie’s Filming Schedule? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

The highly anticipated film Coolie, directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Rajinikanth, has received exciting updates. Recently, Rajinikanth was seen at the Chennai airport en route to Bangkok for a shooting schedule of the film. When approached by the media for an update on Coolie, the superstar revealed that 70% of the filming had been completed. He also shared that the current schedule is slated between January 13 and January 28.

During the interaction, Rajinikanth declined to comment when asked a political question, reiterating his earlier stance that he would not be making any political statements. The release date of Coolie is yet to be officially confirmed, although rumors suggest it might hit theaters on May 1, 2025, coinciding with Labour Day. This film marks the first collaboration between superstar Rajinikanth and director Lokesh Kanagaraj.

“#Coolie update from superstar #Rajinikanth !!

“70% of the shooting is wrapped up.

Viduthalai Part 2 Movie Review Rating:

Star Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Soori, Manju Warrier, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Bhavani Sre, Kishore Kumar G., Rajiv Menon, Anurag Kashyap, Ilavarasu, Balaji Sakthivel

Director: Vetrimaaran

Viduthalai Part 2 Movie Review (Photo Credit – Instagram)

What’s Good: The acting is commendable, with almost every actor delivering strong performances. The cinematography is impressive, capturing the essence of the story beautifully. While the fight sequences lean towards realism, they are still engaging and enjoyable to watch.

What’s Bad: The screenplay feels sluggish, and the characters suffer from inadequate development.

Loo Break: The gunfight sequences between the police and Vijay Sethupathi’s organization feel drawn-out, making them a good opportunity to take a breather.

Watch or Not?: If you’re looking for a realistic, emotionally charged political drama, Viduthalai Part 2 won’t disappoint. However, it might be less appealing if that’s not your cup of tea. That said,...

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Citadel: Honey Bunny is an action spy thriller drama series created by Sita R. Menon, Raj, and Dk. The Prime Video series is the third entry in the Russo Brothers‘ Citadel franchise and it follows Honey, a struggling actress who was recruited by Bunny, a stuntman for a side gig as a spy. Years later Honey has a daughter and she is hunted by agents and she must find a way to protect herself and her daughter. Citadel: Honey Bunny stars Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead roles with Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon, Sikander Kher, and Saqib Saleem. So, if you loved the explosive action, thrilling espionage drama, and compelling characters in Citadel: Honey Bunny here are some similar movies you should check out next.

Citadel (Prime Video) Credit – Prime Video

Citadel is a...

Varun Tej’s intense new thriller Matka promises a gripping storyline ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Varun Tej’s upcoming pan-Indian film Matka generates significant buzz, especially as it gears up to compete with Suriya’s highly anticipated period action drama Kanguva. The Hindi-dubbed version of Matka has been titled Matka Vasu. Varun Tej’s look in the film has sparked social media comparisons to Kamal Haasan’s iconic portrayal of Velu Naicker in Nayakan, heightening expectations for this ambitious project. This article covers everything you need to know about Matka.

Cast and Crew of Matka

Directed and written by Karuna Kumar, the film stars Varun Tej, Nora Fatehi, Ajay Ghosh, Naveen Chandra, and Kishore Kumar G. The music is composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar, with editing by Karthika Srinivas and cinematography by Kishore Kumar. The producers include Mohan Cherukuri, Rajani Talluri, and Vijender Reddy Teegala. The film is produced under Srt Entertainments,...

One year ago, on September 30, 2022, the Kannada film industry witnessed a historic moment when Rishab Shetty’s Kantara hit the screens. The film, which was written and directed by Shetty himself, and produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films, was a massive success both critically and commercially. It broke several records and became the second highest-grossing Kannada film of all time after K.G.F: Chapter 2, released the same year. It was also 2022’s fourth highest-grossing film in India.

Kantara, which means Mystical Forest in Kannada, is an action thriller that revolves around Shiva, a Kambala champion from Kaadubettu village, who is at loggerheads with Murali, an upright forest officer. The film explores the themes of spirituality, fate and folklore in the backdrop of a forest that is protected by a deity named Panjurli Daiva and his companion Guliga Daiva. The film also features Kishore Kumar G., Achyuth Kumar, Sapthami Gowda,...

Featured Image : Hombale Films

Raj B Shetty, the lead actor and writer of the Toby has revealed that Rishab Shetty his team are working on the script of the sequel of Kanatara, Kantara 2, in Mangalore. The film, which is expected to go on floors next year, will have a budget of 100 crores, which is ten times bigger than the budget of the first part.

Kantara, which released in September 2022, was a huge commercial and critical success. The film, which was produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films, grossed over 400 crores worldwide and became the second highest-grossing Kannada film of all time after K.G.F: Chapter 2. The film also won six awards at the 69th Filmfare Awards South, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor for Rishab Shetty.

Kanatara Trailer

The film tells the story of Shiva, a Kambala champion from a coastal village, who is at loggerheads with Murali,...

The Malayalam film industry is gearing up for a big clash at the box office on September 28, as Kannur Squad, directed by Roby Varghese Raj and starring Mammootty in the lead role, will face off against Chaaver, directed by Tinu Pappachan and featuring Antony Varghese and Arjun Ashokan in pivotal roles. Both films are action thrillers with political undertones and have generated a lot of buzz among the audience.

Kannur Squad Trailer

Kannur Squad is a crime drama that follows a squad of police officers on a nationwide manhunt to catch elusive criminals. The film marks the fourth production of Mammootty Kampany and the directorial debut of cinematographer Roby Varghese Raj. The film also stars Rony David, Shabareesh Varma, Azees Nedumangad, Kishore Kumar G., Vijayaraghavan and Sunny Wayne in supporting roles.

Chaaver Motion Poster

The film was shot in various locations across India, including Kannur, Kasaragod, Wayanad, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Pala,...

SandalwoodWritten and directed by Rishab Shetty who also played the lead role, Kantara is one the biggest breakout films of 2022.YouTube screenshotIn good news for Kantara fans on Ugadi, the Kannada New Year, the makers on Wednesday, March 22 officially announced that work has begun on Kantara 2. The makers had previously announced that there would soon be a prequel to the acclaimed film Kantara. Taking the journey forward, they have now announced that they have started work on the script. Taking to social media to wish everyone a happy Ugadi, Hombale films and actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty announced that writing for the prequel has commenced.  "On this auspicious occasion of Ugadi & New Year, we are delighted to announce that the writing for the second part of #Kantara has begun. We can't wait to bring you another captivating story that showcases our relationship with nature. Stay tuned for more updates," Hombale Films said.

In good news for ‘Kantara’ fans on Ugadi, which is the Kannada New Year, the makers on Wednesday officially announced the start of work on ‘Kantara 2’. The makers had previously announced the prequel for ‘Kantara’ and now taking the journey ahead, they have started the work on the script.

Taking to social media, Hombale films shared ‘Kantara Writing Begins’ creative wishing everybody a happy Ugadi.

“On this auspicious occasion of Ugadi & New Year, we are delighted to announce that the writing for the second part of #Kantara has begun. We can’t wait to bring you another captivating story that showcases our relationship with nature. Stay tuned for more updates”.

Hombale Films’ ‘Kantara’ starring Rishab Shetty is one the biggest breakout films that Indian cinema saw last year. From bringing a story from the heartlands of India to garnering the love of audiences across quarters to making its mark on the global level,...

For a self-taught musician, it is rather impressive how his melodies underscored popular culture for a range of occasions in late 20th century India – be it children’s lullabies “Chandamama door ke” or “Chal mere ghode”, “Ham bhi agar bachche hote” for their birthdays, “Mera yaar bana hai dulha” and “Aaj mere yaar ki shaadi hai” for marriages, as well introducing Afghan and Arab strains into Hindi film music.

That was the talent of music composer Ravi, whose contributions went beyond providing enthralling music in films such as “Chaudhvin ka Chand” (1960), “Gharana” (1961), “Waqt” (1965), “Do Badan” (1966), and “Hamraaz” (1967).

To Ravi also goes credit for giving Asha Bhosle a prominent place in playback with songs ranging from playful “C A T cat, cat maane billii” to wistfully romantic “Jab chali thandi hawa” (“Do Badan”) to the entrancingly philosophical “Aage bhi na jaane tu” (“Waqt”), as well helping Mahendra Kapoor evolve from yet another Mohd Rafi clone,...

In the past decade, the world has increasingly seen the rise of populist leaders to power, many of whom have blatantly wrapped themselves around the notions of xenophobia and bigotry. In fact, many even claim that we’re living in the post-truth era, where widespread narratives concerning disputes over public truth masquerade under barbed nationalist sentiments. For over seven decades now, India – the world’s largest democracy – has been held together by its constitution which promises equality to all its citizens. But with the rise of its populist leader since 2014, the cogs of its culturally rich populace started taking a more sinister turn; the years that have since followed remade a nation where some people count as more Indian than others. The Hindu hyper nationalists not only prefer theology to recast a project of religious statecraft, but there’s also been an increased amount of control over...

Despite its distinctly regional flavour, the Hindi-dubbed version of Rishab Shetty film ‘Kantara’ has completed 100 days in the Hindi market and continues its successful run in theatres. Taking to social media on Sunday, the production house behind the movie, Hombale Films, said: “We are ecstatic to share that #Kantara in Hindi, depicting the traditional folklore, has completed 100 days. We express our deep gratitude to the audience for their unwavering support.”

Produced with a modest budget of Rs 20 crore in Kannada, ‘Kantara’ went on to become a Sandalwood smash hit. The producers, who are also the makers of the ‘Kgf’ series, later released the movie in other languages, including Telugu and Hindi. The movie has done well in all languages.

Written and directed by Rishab Shetty, ‘Kantara’ was released in Kannada and Hindi on September 30 and October 14, respectively. Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda for Hombale Films, the movie’s star cast includes Rishab Shetty,...

‘Kantara’ captured the hearts of the audience with a story inspired by the divinity of the boar-faced Panjurli Daiva. The action thriller went on to achieve sleeper hit status in the box office. To thank the Daiva and seek the divine being’s blessings, actor-filmmaker Rishab Shetty, and Vijay Kirgandur, founder of the production house Hombale Films, offered prayers at a Bhoota Kola festival somewhere in Karnataka.

Taking to their social media, Hombale Films shared a video showing glimpses of the team as they sought the Daiva’s blessings.

In the caption, the production house noted: “You surrender to nature and worship God, who has bestowed you with such success and freedom in life. #Kantara team witnessed the divine in real form and took the blessings of Daiva!”

Kantara was released in Kannada and Hindi on September 30 and October 14, respectively. The film has been written and directed by Rishab Shetty.

Bengaluru, Jan 16 (Ians) Amid the box office success and critical recognition from several quarters, Kantara’ star and director Rishab Shetty is exulting over the letter of appreciation he has received from legendary actor Kamal Haasan earlier this year.

Previously, too, Kamal Haasan had complimented Rishab Shetty when the latter had called on him.

Rishab Shetty has framed the letter and posted it on his social media handle. The South Indian acting legend, popularly known as the ‘Ulaga Nayagan’ (‘hero of the world’), has complimented Rishab’s adroit handling of the concept of God in the movie.

“I’m a godless man, yet I understand the need for one in most,” Kamal Haasan wrote. “I truly believe compassion is missing in gods depicted in most of our mythology. We of the Dravidian stock are a matriarchal society. That is seen in the last scene of your film where God behaves like...

Amid the box office success and critical recognition from several quarters, Kantara’ star and director Rishab Shetty is exulting over the letter of appreciation he has received from legendary actor Kamal Haasan earlier this year.

Previously, too, Kamal Haasan had complimented Rishab Shetty when the latter had called on him.

Rishab Shetty has framed the letter and posted it on his social media handle. The South Indian acting legend, popularly known as the ‘Ulaga Nayagan’ (‘hero of the world’), has complimented Rishab’s adroit handling of the concept of God in the movie.

“I’m a godless man, yet I understand the need for one in most,” Kamal Haasan wrote. “I truly believe compassion is missing in gods depicted in most of our mythology. We of the Dravidian stock are a matriarchal society. That is seen in the last scene of your film where God behaves like a mother rather...

Veteran actresses Zeenat Aman and Poonam Dhillon will be seen recreating the magic of the golden era – the 1970s and 1980s – in the upcoming episode of singing reality show ‘Indian Idol 13’.

A promo shared by the channel on Instagram, show the two actresses gracing the show with contestants singing ‘Meri Soni Meri Tamanna’ from the 1973 film ‘Yaadon Ki Baarat’. The original track is sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar.

“Chirag aur Kavya milke banayenge apne performance se Indian Idol 13 ke manch ko aur bhi musicana! Dekhiye inhe Iss Sat-Sun, raat 8 baje, Indian Idol 13 mein! Sirf #SonyEntertainmentTelevision par!” the channel captioned the promo.

‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ is directed by Nasir Hussain. It featured an ensemble cast, starring Dharmendra, Vijay Arora, Tariq, Zeenat Aman, Neetu Singh and Ajit.

‘Yaadon Ki Baaraat’ has thus been identified as “the first” quintessentially “Bollywood film.”

It is still remembered fondly for its Hindi soundtrack, composed by music director R.D. Burman.

CinemaActor Kishore shared screenshots of an email from Twitter, which clarified that his account was hacked in December 2022.PTIActor Kishore Kumar G, who recently won praise for his performance in the Kannada film Kantara, said on Wednesday, January 4 that his Twitter account was suspended due to hacking and not because of his posts. He also added that the microblogging platform has promised necessary action to restore his account. A day earlier, Twitter had suspended the actor’s account, and it was unclear whether the action was due to his tweets. Several of the actor’s fans took to social media on January 3 to express that they were disappointed with the move. Upon searching for Kishore’s handle on Twitter, the following message appears: "Account suspended. Twitter suspends accounts that violate the Twitter Rules." The actor took to his Instagram handle to clear misconceptions about why his Twitter page was suspended.

The year was 1986. Rajesh Khanna was no more the phenomenon but the aura that he had created for himself through the songs that he had crooned on the silver screen was manifest on a screen made out of sacks on which were sewed tattered white sheets. The location- Chakia, a hinterland about 80 kms from Varanasi as the crow flies. The film shown was Raaz in a village godown. His songs were rewinded umpteen number of times, the spool could not withstand the pressure, and the film did not reach its logical end. However, nobody complained, as the fans were enthralled in Rajesh Khanna’s magic.

Were he to be alive today he would have been 82 years of age; his physical self may not be there, but his magic continues to swoon the audiences.

First Fashion icon of Hindi cinema

He was the first actor who created his own mannerism, the...

Cinematography: Jomon T. John. Music: Devi Sri Prasad, Badshah and Lijo George.

Ians Rating: **

By Arnab Banerjee

‘The Bard of Avon’ can never go wrong. The timeless Shakespeare, 400-plus years after he entertained Queen Elizabeth I and her courtiers, continues to resonate in different ways with each generation. And his ‘Comedy of Errors’ has been a favourite of Bollywood filmmakers.

After Kishore Kumar’s ‘Do Dooni Chaar’ and Sanjeev Kumar’s ‘Angoor’ and a few other forgettable adaptations, comes Rohit Shetty’s ‘Cirkus’, featuring Ranveer Singh playing two sets of identical twins who are accidentally separated at birth. Sadly, though, Bollywood is as bad at adapting as it is at conceiving fresh ideas.

So, what does the film have to offer? Old gags, insufferable jokes, bad acting and a plot that just doesn’t take off. Even when writers Farhad Samji, Sanchit Bedre and Vidhi Ghodgaonkar attempt to Indianise the much-amended tale,...

The eternal combination of music with films and stars, many a times their fate intertwined, with each giving a boost to the other, is considered a hallmark of Indian movies. This has been the tradition of almost all films produced in India – since the humble beginning made with “Raja Harishchandra” (1913) by the venerable Father of Indian Cinema, Dhundiraj Govind ‘Dadasaheb’ Phalke.

Among the sackful of musical blockbusters churned out by Bollywood, one of the front-rankers is K Asif’s National Award winner “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) with a dozen unforgettable scores by the Master of the Baton, Naushad Ali. Surprisingly, this all-time megabuster did not see Dilip Kumar, the winsome Prince Salim, singing a single song on the silver screen.

All the 12 songs in “Mughal-e-Azam” were left to other characters such as the besotted Madhubala (Anarkali) and the jealous Bahar Begum (Nigar Sultana), a wandering soothsayer, or royal court musician Tansen, in the...

New Delhi, Dec 1 (Ians) As enterprises of all sizes double down on their digital transformation journey in India, Technopark-incubated Ospyn Technologies is providing reliable digital transformation solutions to various industries in the country, helping them transform from paper-based processes and manual processes to digital operations.

Launched in 2000, Ospyn offers digital transformation solutions to government, banking and financial institutions, healthcare, and educational institutions. It has an expanding client base across India, the Middle East and Africa.

Kishore Kumar, Director and Cto, Ospyn, told Ians that Cloud technology has enabled the company to offer some of the document processing capabilities at scale to its customers.

Here are the excerpts from an interview:

Q: What is the mission and vision of Ospyn? What is your Usp?

A: Ospyn is a digital transformation player delivering a platform-based solutions approach to our customers. Our Low Code Content Services Platform (Csp), OspynDocs, enables creation and roll-out...

OTTWritten and directed by Rishab Shetty, ‘Kantara’ hit the big screens on September 30 this year and had a massive run at the box office. Tnm StaffScreengrabOver-the-top (Ott) platform Amazon Prime Video announced on Wednesday, November 23 that the hit Kannada movie Kantara will be streaming on the platform from November 24. Produced under the banner of Hombale Films by Vijay Kiragandur, the action-adventure is written and directed by Rishab Shetty, who also acts in the movie alongside Sapthami Gowda, Kishore Kumar G and Achyuth Kumar in the pivotal roles. The film had a massive run at the box office. Following its initial release on September 30 in Kannada, Kantara was also released in other languages like Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam. The story of Kantara is set in the woodlands of Kaadubettu, in the southern state of Karnataka. It follows a Kambala champion, played by Rishabh Shetty, who locks horns with an upright Range Forest officer,...

The biggest surprise hit movie of the year, ‘Kantara’ is finally set for Ott release. Prime Video announced the exclusive worldwide digital premiere of the Kannada blockbuster, which will start streaing from November 24.

Made on a modest budget of around Rs 16 crore, ‘Kantara’ has grossed Rs 400 crore (and counting!) worldwide in theatres worldwide after its release in September this year.

The story of ‘Kantara’ is set around a small community living in the woodlands of Kaadubettu in the southern coastal state of Karnataka. Weaving an interesting plot of human versus nature conflict, where death leads to war between villagers and evil forces and Shiva, a rebel defends his village and nature.

On the digital release of Kantara, writer, director, and actor Rishab Shetty shared, “Audiences from all corners of the country have showered immense love on ‘Kantara’ and I am extremely excited that with its global digital premiere on Prime Video,...

He carved himself into the history of Bollywood playing – in his first major role – a foul-mouthed, sadistic, and vicious brigand, but there was much more to him than just being Gabbar Singh of “Sholay”. While Amjad Khan’s oeuvre of over 220 films has him playing the villainous ‘heavy’, usually against Amitabh Bachchan, he also excelled in more positive and even comic roles.

And then, he was capable enough to hold a long discussion on various issues with Satyajit Ray.

Take his Filmfare Awards nominations as one metric. Amjad Khan was nominated seven times in the prime of his acting career from 1976 to 1986 – five times for Best Supporting Actor (including two nominations in one year once) and two times as Best Performance in a Comic Role (both in the same year), and won twice in the first category and once in the second.

In the first category, apart from “Sholay” in...

New Delhi, Nov 5 (Ians) Filmmaker-actor Rishab Shetty and his leading lady Sapthami Gowda are in the National Capital and promoted their mega blockbuster ‘Kantara’ at India Gate.

The power duo looked enchanting in white. Rishabh was seen wearing traditional south Indian outfit.

After winning hearts of millions in Kannada and Hindi versions, its box office collections are witnessing a constant rise.

‘Kantara’ Hindi market numbers have constantly been seeing a great jump in its box office collections with a total of 53.7 Cr till November 4.

Other than registering phenomenal growth at the box office, ‘Kantara’ also made its position at No. 1 in the list of India’s Current Top 250 Films which was released by IMDb recently.

Kantara was released in the Kannada version and Hindi version on September 30 and October 14 respectively.

The film is written and directed by Rishab Shetty. Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda, under Hombale Films, the film features Rishab Shetty,...

South African cricket star Ab de Villiers shared a video posing with actor-filmmaker Rishabh Shetty and even gave a shoutout to his blockbuster film ‘Kantara’.

Ab de Villiers and Rishabh both took to Instagram, where they shared a video posing together and giving a shout-out to a match and the film.

They captioned the clip: “It’s a Match! Met the real 360 today. The #Superhero is back to the roots again to #NammaBengaluru.. ?? #Kantara @royalchallengersbangalore @abdevilliers17 @vkiragandur @rishabshettyofficial @hombalefilms @sapthami_gowda @hombalegroup @chaluvegowda @karthik_krg @b_ajaneesh @actorkishore @kantarafilm”

‘Kantara’ was released in the Kannada version and Hindi version on September 30 and October 14 respectively. The film is written and directed by Rishab Shetty.

Produced by Vijay Kiragandur and Chaluve Gowda, under Hombale Films, the film features Rishab Shetty, Sapthami Gowda, and Kishore Kumar G in pivotal roles.

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A post shared by Rishab Shetty (@rishabshettyofficial)...

Hombale Films ‘Kantara’ is a film that does not need any introduction now. Having its name spread all over the globe, the film is constantly creating examples of its success. While the film has ruled the hearts of the masses, it has earned great reviews from critics, celebrities, and many dignitaries from different fields. Taking ahead its constant spree of receiving acclamations, the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs & Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, honorable Shri Piyush Goyal has considered ‘Kantara’ as an example that has showcased the rich culture of Karnataka while he was addressing the Global Investors Meet ‘Invest Karnataka 2022’ in Bengaluru.

As the union minister Shri Piyush Goyal was seen speaking about the growth and progress of Karnataka state during Global Investors Meet ‘Invest Karnataka 2022’ in Bengaluru, it is a pride for ‘Kantara’ to get such a huge recognition from the ministry while it has contributed to...

Singer Amit Kumar signed an autograph for ‘Indian Idol 13’ contestant Debosmita Roy from Kolkata and appreciated her performance on his father and legendary singer Kishore Kumar’s romantic track ‘Tu tu hai vahi’ picturised on Rishi Kapoor and Poonam Dhillon from 1982 film ‘Yeh Vaada Raha’.

Apart from this, she also amazed him and the judges by choosing a difficult track ‘Tere mere milan ki yeh raina’ which is inspired by Bengali song, ‘Jodi Taare Nayi Chini Go Sheki’ originally sung by Kishore Kumar, and the song was recomposed by S.D. Burman for the Hindi version from the 1973 film ‘Abhimaan’.

Amit, who is known for his songs such as ‘Main Ik Panchi Matwaala Re’ from the film ‘Door Ka Raahi’, ‘Aati Rahengi Baharein’ in ‘Kasme Vaade’, ‘Laila o Laila’ for ‘Qurbani’ and many more said while praising the contestant: “Beautifully sung. Kya awaaz hai! (What a voice) The way you felt...

Singer, songwriter, and composer Vishal Dadlani was stunned looking at the performance of ‘Indian Idol 13’ contestant Anushka Patra on megastar Amitabh Bachchan’s hit track ‘Pag Ghungroo Baandh’ from the 1982 film ‘Namak Halaal’.

The movie is known for a number of reasons and one among them is the late actress Smita Patil, who is known for her serious roles in parallel cinema becoming part of a commercial masala film, proving that she can do well in both. Apart from it, Big B’s dialogue,’I can talk English, I can walk English, I can laugh English because English is a very phunny language,’ also became everyone’s favourite.

Furthermore, the contestant also amazed the judges with her Big B avatar which made the performance a complete package of entertainment.

Vishal said: “Anushka, you performed the male part of the song so magically. I can only say that whoever said that...

It’s been more than a month since comedian-actor Raju Srivastav passed away. His wife Shikha shared an old video of the late comedian singing a Kishore Kumar song on her Instagram account.

In the video, the late comedian can be seen sitting on a bed inside a room and singing Kishore Kumar’s ‘Yaadon Mein Wo Sapnon Mein Hai’ from the 1977 film ‘Swami’.

His wife also penned an emotional note along with the video in the caption in which she spoke about missing him dearly after his death.

Raju and Shikha got married on May 17, 1983. They have a son and a daughter – Aayushman and Antara. The couple had first met during his brother’s wedding in Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh, in 1982.

The comedian died on September 21 after battling for his life for 42 days. He was admitted to Aiims after he suffered a heart attack in his gym while working out...

A tabla player with a prominent theatrical troupe, he went on to partner with a harmonium player to create – and guide – the duo that seamlessly melded the strains of Indian classical and popular music with Western melodies to create an array of immortal tunes for films starring titans, from Raj Kapoor to Shammi Kapoor to Rajesh Khanna.

Shankar-Jaiskishan was not the first duo to give music for Hindi films – that signal honour went to their own ustads Husnlal-Bhagatram – but they were the most successful, right from their first venture in 1949, down till the dawn of the 1970s.

Going just by the metric of Filmfare Awards, their record of the most Best Music Awards (nine) stood for nearly four decades till A R Rahman picked up his 10th in 2012. And though they were runners-up in most nominations (20), behind Laxmikant-Pyarelal’s 25, 10 of their nominations were in consecutive years since 1959.

More tellingly, their...

From a family of prominent lawyers, he was expected to follow in their footsteps, but instead chose a career in the fledgling Hindi film industry – and uncharacteristically, not as a hero. Virtually dragooned by his legendary boss taking over a lead role, despite the director’s opposition, he, in his first-ever take, muffed up a simple scene with the heroine, and then, left the villain with a fractured leg.

That, in 1936, was the rather farcical start of the career of Ashok Kumar, who was born on this day in 1911.

Undaunted, he went on to establish himself not only as Hindi cinema’s first superstar as the 1940s began, but also one who was known for his air of naturalness and his willingness to reinvent himself and experiment with playing morally ambiguous or anti-hero roles.

At the appropriate time, he moved on to playing more mature roles in line with his age,...

Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore recalled how the legendary singer Kishore Kumar sang the iconic song ‘Mere sapnon ki rani’ from the 1969 Bollywood movie ‘Aradhana’, on a singing reality show, and she especially went to the studio to see him singing the song effortlessly.

She said: “Kishore ji sang this song sitting on a chair cross-legged very casually and effortlessly. I had specially gone to the studio to hear him sing this song.”

The 77-year-old actress, who made her debut at the age of 14 with Satyajit Ray’s Bengali drama ‘The World of Apu’ had worked in a number of commercial hit films like ‘Waqt’, ‘An Evening in Paris’, ‘Aradhana’, ‘Safar’, ‘Amar Prem’, ‘Daag’ and many more, recently appeared on a singing reality show along with popular actress Tanuja. She was impressed with the captivating performance of contestant Rishi Singh from Ayodhya on some of her melodious tracks such as ‘Jeevan...

Mumbai, Oct 13 (Ians) If you are thinking about the reason for Ayushmann Khurrana’s excellence and successful streak, then hear it straight from the horse’s mouth: he idolises one of the most proficient artistes of Indian cinema – singer-actor-composer Kishore Kumar.

And that’s what reflects in Ayushmann’s work as well be it his acting prowess or the musical talent that he possesses.

Talking about the same, Ayushmann said: “Kishore Kumar was multi-talented and as an artist, I draw inspiration from him at every juncture. He has been my guru and his work inspires me to push boundaries and explore uncharted territories.”

He also revealed that he has been listening to Kishore Da’s most revered track ‘Aake Seedhi Lagi Dil Pe’ from the film ‘Half Ticket’, while shooting for the sequel of his successful movie ‘Dream Girl’.

Kishore Kumar had lent both the male and female voices for...

If you are thinking about the reason for Ayushmann Khurrana’s excellence and successful streak, then hear it straight from the horse’s mouth: he idolises one of the most proficient artistes of Indian cinema – singer-actor-composer Kishore Kumar.

And that’s what reflects in Ayushmann’s work as well be it his acting prowess or the musical talent that he possesses.

Talking about the same, Ayushmann said: “Kishore Kumar was multi-talented and as an artist, I draw inspiration from him at every juncture. He has been my guru and his work inspires me to push boundaries and explore uncharted territories.”

He also revealed that he has been listening to Kishore Da’s most revered track ‘Aake Seedhi Lagi Dil Pe’ from the film ‘Half Ticket’, while shooting for the sequel of his successful movie ‘Dream Girl’.

Kishore Kumar had lent both the male and female voices for this song and...

Unlike Hollywood, where musicals are a separate genre, no Hindi film is complete without a full suite of songs – and they are what keeps a film alive in the minds of the people long after it has met its fate at the box office. Amitabh Bachchan fans may not recall the plots of his old landmark films, but the songs still strike a chord.

On the Big B’s 80th birthday, let us revisit some of his musical hits from his first decade of super and megastardom, where the songs were not just romantic interludes with his lady love of the moment, but also served various other purposes.

These helped him to express a range of moods, reveal his innermost yearnings, his philosophy of life, advancing the plot as action takes place in the background or surreptitiously, or evoke humour to lighten the mood.

“Dekha na hai re socha na...

Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has converted legendary singer Kishore Kumar’s old bungalow – ‘Gouri Kunj’ – into a swanky restaurant and he on Wednesday gave the fans a glimpse of his new venture.

‘Gouri Kunj’, once owned by the late great singer, will now be known as the ‘One8 Commune’. The restaurant located in Juhu, Mumbai, promises to cater every community in terms of food.

In a video released on ‘One8 Commune’ YouTube channel, Kohli can be seen giving a tour to popular actor-anchor Manish Paul, as the two share their unique food stories. They also engage in a fun segment of dumb charades.

The 33-year-old batter also mentioned that utmost importance has been given to the food with an objective to attract customers to visit the place more than once.

Asked about the choice of venue, Kohli said he is a huge fan of Kishore Kumar and called the singer charismatic.