News

ReviewParthiban’s film is at the least a crashing bore; at the worst, single-take magic aside, a noxious mix of misogyny and self-indulgence.Bharathy SingaravelTrailerScreengrab/CourtesyDhwaniActor and director Parthiban’s attempt at an entire film made in a single-take is an impressive technical feat. In Iravin Nizhal, he oversees a host of characters, a story shifting back and forth over several years and claustrophobic sets while also starring in the film. Pulling all this together could have been no easy task, even without Parthiban telling you so. But he does. Repeatedly. The first half hour of the film’s run time is taken up by an increasingly dizzying making-of sequence, to the point I was worried I’d accidentally walked in at the end. This is the first single-take non-linear film in the world, we are told. Over and over again. When this sequence is finally over, the film cuts...

KollywoodPooja is Sai Pallavi's sister and is playing a medical student in the film while Rima plays a cop.Tnm StaffFight choreographer-turned-director 'Stunt' Silva's film Chithirai Sevvaanam will release on Ott platform on December 3. Produced by director Al Vijay, the film features Pooja Kannan, Samuthirakani and Rima Kallingal. One of the reasons why fans have been eagerly waiting for this film is because Pooja, who plays one of the leads, is the younger sister of popular actor Sai Pallavi. Many feel that the sisters have striking similarities and quite a number of people are eager to see if Pooja is as good a dancer as Sai Pallavi. Meanwhile, Rima Kallingal, who plays a pivotal character in the film, had recently said that essaying the role of a police officer was “quite a ride.” “Asha Nayyar - The first time playing a Police officer was quite a ride,” she said,...

KollywoodThe film, which was slated to release in theatres on May 1, has been pushed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Digital NativeRJ-actor-director Balaji is teaming up with Nayanthara for a Tamil film Mookuthi Amman, a socio-political satire. Having essayed several different characters over the years, Nayanthara will be seen playing a goddess for the first time in her career in this film. With the film being wrapped up months back, Balaji has resumed work on the film. According to sources, there are about 4 days of patchwork pending, post which the film will move to the post-production stage. Sharing a poster from Mookuthi Amman, Rj Balaji wrote, "Thank you so much for this unbelievable love, appreciation and support for Tamil commentary.!!! Blessed !!! I will be ‘coming back to cricket’ real soon !!! And it's time for Mookuthi Amman (sic)." View this post on Instagram Thank you so much for this unbelievable love, appreciation and support for Tamil commentary.

KollywoodWhile an official announcement on this project is yet to be made, the film is touted to be an action-drama.Digital NativeIf the industry grapevine is anything to go by, Nayanthara is said to have given her nod to star in stunt master Rambo Rajkumar son Navakanth’s directorial debut. The actor is set to join hands with another first-time filmmaker Navakanth, who is the son of the renowned stunt master Rambo Rajkumar. It is tipped to be an action drama but an official announcement regarding this project is yet to be made. On the career front, Nayanthara currently awaits the release of her upcoming film Mookuthi Amman. Having essayed several different characters over the years, Nayanthara will be seen playing a goddess for the first time in her career in this film. As per recent reports, Mookuthi Amman is most likely to get released directly on an Ott platform.

KollywoodApparently, a leading Ott player has already acquired the film's rights and an official announcement is expected to be made soon.Digital NativeDigital NativeActor Nayanthara's upcoming Tamil film Mookuthi Amman, a socio-political satire, is most likely to skip theatrical release and head directly for Ott release via a leading platform, as per latest reports. While the makers haven't still made an official announcement, reliable sources have confirmed that the film may not wait for theatres to reopen for release. Apparently, a leading Ott player has already acquired the film's rights and an official announcement is expected to be made soon. Having essayed several different characters over the years, Nayanthara will be seen playing a goddess for the first time in her career in this film. Talking about Mookuthi Amman and its theme, Rj Balaji had told Times of India: “This will be a 100% saami (devotional) padam. It’s not a satire on the genre.

KollywoodNayanthara looks ethereal in the posters.Tnm StaffNew stills from the Nayanthara and Rj Balaji starrer Mookuthi Amman were released on Thursday, which showed the Lady Superstar as goddess Amman. The stills were released by debut director Rj Balaji. Nayanthara looks ethereal in the posters, and is seen wearing a red and green saree, decked in elaborate jewellery, headgear as well as holding a trishul. #MookuthiAmman - Working stills !!! pic.twitter.com/zcMSp9wH2d — Rj Balaji (@RJ_Balaji) June 4, 2020 pic.twitter.com/jC2qlnsx1d — Rj Balaji (@RJ_Balaji) June 4, 2020 pic.twitter.com/g216dypx8X — Rj Balaji (@RJ_Balaji) June 4, 2020 Mookuthi Amman is touted to be a devotional comedy with a twist. In an interview to the Times of India, Rj Balaji said that Mookuthi Amman will be a “100% saami padam”, and is not a satire. “It will have all the elements that were there in the devotional...

SandalwoodNayanthara made her debut in Kannada with ‘Super’ in 2010 and it remains her sole film in the industry till now.Digital NativeDigital NativeOne of the most awaited films in the Kannada film industry is Gandugali Madakari Nayaka, which has Darshan playing the lead role. Directed by Rajendra Singh Babu, the film has Srinivasa Murthy and Doddanna playing important roles as well. There was an update about an inclusion to the star cast a few days and we got to know that veteran actor Sumalatha is playing a pivotal role. On her role, the film’s director said that she plays the raja matha. She will be joining the film’s team in Hyderabad, where the shooting will happen at the Ramoji Rao Studio. While details about the stars in the cast are being revealed at regular intervals, there is still no news about the film’s female lead. According to the Sandalwood grapevine,...

KollywoodThe film is being directed by Rj Balaji and NJ Saravanan.Digital NativePopular radio jockey turned actor Rj Balaji, who has so far played supporting characters on screen turned a writer and a hero with his last outing Lkg. Following this, he will be making his debut as a director with Mookuthi Amman, starring Nayanthara in the lead. This film is being co-directed by NJ Saravanan. On Saturday, Rj Balaji took to social media to release the first and second look posters. The actor looks ethereal as Amman in these new posters. The poster features Nayanthara in a red and green saree with a trishul in her hand. Firstlook of #MookuthiAmman ..! #Nayanthara #MookuthiAmmanFL pic.twitter.com/fEWRtbMdLW — Rj Balaji (@RJ_Balaji) February 29, 2020 As always, humbled by all your love and support Thank you for the phenomenal response for the first and second look of #MookuthiAmman .!!!pic.twitter.com/m1kROaPcgB...

KollywoodThe original version in Telugu had Nani and Nivetha Thomas playing the lead roles.Digital NativeThe hit Telugu film Ninnu Kori is all set to be remade in Tamil. Atharva will be reprising Nani's role and Anupama Parameswaran will be reprising the role done by Nivetha Thomas in the original version. The film is directed by R Kannan who recently collaborated with Atharva for Boomerang. The role played by Aadhi in the original will be played by actor Amitash Pradhan who played the villain in Dhanush's Velaiyilla Pattathari. The film is now on the verge of completing the shoot and the crew will be flying down to Azerbaijan for a 15-day schedule with which the entire shoot comes to an end. The film also stars Aadukalam Naren, Kaali Venkat, Jagan, Rs Shivaji, and Vidyullekha Raman. Produced by R. Kannan in association with M.K.R.P Productions, the film has cinematography by...

TollywoodMehreen Pirzada and Zareen Khan are playing the female leads in the movie.Digital NativeTollywood actor Gopichand’s upcoming film, titled Chanakya, is touted to be an action-oriented spy thriller. This film is directed by Thiru and bankrolled by Ramabrahmam Sunkara and presented by Kishore Garikipati, Ajay Sunkara and Abhishek Agarwal under the banner Ak Entertainments. The technical crew of Chanakya includes Vishal Chandrasekar for music, Vetri Palaniswamy for cinematography, and Stunt Silva for stunt choreography. Chanakya is gearing up for release for Dusshera and the post-production is happening at full swing. Recently, the film’s hero, Gopichand and the rest of the core team had a press briefing at the Prasad Labs and spoke in length about Chanakya. During the event, Gopichand said that when director Thiru narrated the story to him a couple of years ago, he was so impressed that he decided to hop on board. The...

TollywoodThe film unit is reportedly in talks with Kajal Agarwal to play the female lead.Digital NativeActor Gopichand has begun shooting for his next untitled film which would be directed by a debutant, Binu Subramanyam. The film is produced by Bvsn Prasad under the banner Sri Venkateswara Cine Chitra. The film's pooja was held earlier on September 13. Making the announcement about the film, the production house tweeted,“New beginnings with a brand new story...Thrilled to announce our next project with Macho Star @YoursGopichand. An action-adventure film directed by debutant #BinuSubramanyam. #SatishKurup handles the camera. Music composed by Mani Sharma. Shoot started. #SVCC26.” New beginnings with a brand new story...Thrilled to announce our next project with Macho Star @YoursGopichand. An action-adventure film directed by debutant #BinuSubramanyam. #SatishKurup handles the camera. Music composed by Mani Sharma. Shoot started. #SVCC26 pic.twitter.com/95myJeTmom — Svcc (@SVCCofficial) September 13, 2019 While the male lead has been finalized,...

TollywoodGopichand’s last film release was 'Pantham' which did not fare well at the box office.Digital NativeTelugu star Gopichand’s next, titled Chanakya, will be with Kollywood director Thiru. The film will be bankrolled by Ramabrahmam Sunkara and presented by Kishore Garikipati, Ajay Sunkara and Abhishek Agarwal under the Ak Entertainments banner. The makers of this film not only revealed that title but also its logo recently. Mehreen Pirzada has been roped in to play the female lead in this flick. Sources in the know say that Bollywood star Zarine Khan will be signed up for a role but there is no confirmation on it yet. The technical crew of Chanakya includes Vishal Chandrasekar for music, Vetri Palaniswamy for cinematography and Stunt Silva for stunt choreography. Reports are that more than 50 per cent of the shooting has been completed and the remaining will be done in a couple of months.

The festival returns this month for its sixth edition. Every year Liff aims to bring audiences some of the very best new Indian independent cinema, which includes features, documentaries and short films by both acclaimed and emerging filmmakers. This year’s line up promises to leave you entertained, informed, thought provoking and even in some cases leaving a screen shocked.

We now present the films that will be screened at this prestigious festival

Umrika | Opening Night | UK Premiere | cert 12A

Hindi with English subtitles | 98 min | India 2015 | Dir. Prashant Nair | with: Suraj Sharma, Tony Revolori, Adil Hussain, Smita Tambe, Prateik Babbar.

This year’s Sundance Audience Award winner is an uplifting, rights of passage tale about two brothers from a small village who have dreams of making it big in Umrika (America). Udai (Pratiek Babbar) is the eldest and adored by his hard-working mum. He leaves their hamlet on a bullock...