Maruthi keen to regain his lost ground. Maruthi created a sensation with small films like Ee Rojullo, Bus Stop, Prema Katha Chitram and scored a resounding hit with Nani's Bhale Bhale Magadivoy. Finally he got the golden opportunity to direct Prabhas' The Raja Saab.

However he failed miserably though Prabhas showed full faith in him even going against the warnings of his fans. The film turned out to be a disaster. Now after The Raja Saab disaster, the question is whether he can get another big hero project. Currently all of them are busy but those who watched The Raja Saab will be scared to team with Maruthi.

Maruthi during The Raja Saab promos said that he didnot confine himself to direct a top star after The Raja Saab and so he may team with a medium range hero.&nbsp; Now inside talk is he is planning a hilarious entertainer and sources say he already readied a line and he will come with a full script and will do the project who ever gives dates with him. Official announcement is expected soon from Maruthi about the new project.

Movie News

What next for Maruthi

Maruthi keen to regain his lost ground

\r\nRam Gopal Varma analyses FX Driven Films and Dhurandhar. The sensation Ranveer Singh\'s Dhurandhar created is still not dying down and all eyes are on Dhurandhar 2 which is releasing on 19 March 2026.\r\nIn the meantime, Ram Gopal Varma analysed the FX driven films and Dhurandhar. He says &ldquo;You see, basically, a lot of different films will come and anything can do well, but it is doubtful that the special-effects driven action film which Telugu cinema is churning out for the past some years now will find a market.&rdquo;\r\nHe pointed out &ldquo;Ranveer Singh has no entry scene. In fact, he is almost molested by a mob in his entry scene. Dhurandhar technically is a template film. There&rsquo;s a hero, there&rsquo;s a heroine, there&rsquo;s a villain, there&rsquo;s a lofty cause for the hero. Right. But in the way it&rsquo;s being treated,it is the exact opposite of what we&rsquo;ve been feeding upon all these years. I&rsquo;m talking about all action films &mdash;they are the same, no? Hero, heroism, hero elevation. Mostly vendetta.&rdquo;\r\nRGV talking about Kalki 2898AD, RRR and Baahubali said &ldquo;All those films which we&rsquo;ve been subjected to the last five, six years were the benchmark. Now suddenly, this Dhurandhar comes &mdash; the only film I saw where the hero doesn&rsquo;t have an elevation shot. So-called slow motion, background score and all. All the other characters have. In fact, he stayed in the background most of the movie. The story is not being made to bend backwards and forwards to please, to pander to any hero&rsquo;s whims.&rdquo;\r\nHe says &ldquo;Dhurandhar doing these kind of numbers, and becoming a bigger hit than all of them indicates a sea-change in audience&rsquo;s taste,&rdquo; and goes on to compare Hollywood and Bollywood saying &ldquo;A Leonardo DiCaprio kind of a star is doing a film like Body of Lies. If you remember that shot when he&rsquo;s hit on his fingers, he shows genuine pain. So heroes doing gravity-defining turns and all that, where the hero you don&rsquo;t even think is a human being, is what we&rsquo;ve been fed upon in the last few years. In the opening sequence, Ranveer gets battered by some. That kind of treatment &mdash; with a vulnerable hero &mdash;being accepted in such large numbers is what we&rsquo;re seeing at the box office.&rdquo;\r\nHe also said Telugu blockbusters became dated. He shares &ldquo;The biting fight in Pushpa 2, flying around and biting everyone, which is definitely extremely enjoyable to all the audience. But I don&rsquo;t know how that will work after this. This is a truly miraculous time transition because in just a year or two, people&rsquo;s tastes have changed completely because of Dhurandhar. Which is why I use that word&mdash;it&rsquo;s a quantum leap in cinema. &ldquo;Can you think of a film which is the gritty reality of Dhurandhar-kind of action, where you see the pain, the very injuries, what can be sustained in that kind of a thing? It is not fantasy. It&rsquo;s real. Every character is vulnerable. You see them as human and not larger than life like we have become used to recently.&rdquo;\r\nHe says \"In Hollywood, all the stars can act. A Leonardo DiCaprio kind of a star is doing a film like Body of Lies. If you remember that shot when he&rsquo;s hit on his fingers, he shows genuine pain. heroes doing gravity-defining Stunts, where the hero you don&rsquo;t even think is a human, is what we&rsquo;ve been fed upon in the last few years. In the opening sequence in Dhurandhar, Ranveer gets battered. That kind of treatment with a vulnerable hero IS being accepted in large numbers.&rdquo;\r\n

RGV on FX Driven films vs Dhurandhar

Ram Gopal Varma analyses FX Driven Films and Dhurandhar

\r\nEesha Rebba exposes a producer. Eesha Rebba, the talented Telugu beauty with electrifying looks however failed to reach the next level of stardom.\r\nShe made her presence felt with her performances in films like Anthaka Mundu Aa Tarvatha (2013), Bandipotu (2015), Ami Thumi (2017) and Awe (2018) after making her debut with Sekhar Kammula\'s Life is Beautiful.\r\nShe is now awaiting the release of her upcoming film Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi. The film features Tharun Bhascker as the protagonist. In the meantime, Eesha speaking to scribes shared that a producer body shamed her.\r\nShe said the producer zoomed her pictures on the laptop and remarked that her elbows are dark and she should be even more fairer. She added that at that time she was hurt and embarrassed but later she took it in her stride.\r\nShe said she felt that she cannot change herself for others and please each and everyone and gained confidence in the way she was born.\r\n

Telugu Beauty Startling Revelations

Eesha Rebba exposes a producer

\r\nVishnu Manchu\'s AVAA Entertainments has announced the AVAA International Short Film Contest - Season One, timed with the festive celebrations of Sankranti and Pongal, aiming to discover and nurture new filmmaking talent across India. This director centric initiative invites aspiring filmmakers to submit short films up to 10 minutes in length, with entries judged purely on storytelling and directorial vision, free from star power or budget considerations.\r\nThe most exciting feature of the contest is its grand prize, the winning director will receive the opportunity to direct a feature film with a budget of â‚¹10 crore, produced by actor and producer Vishnu Manchu. Known for his consistent support of new talent, Vishnu Manchu\'s vision is to provide a genuine gateway into mainstream cinema for deserving filmmakers, especially those who lack access to traditional industry channels.\r\nAVAA Entertainments emphasizes that this contest is more than just a competition. It is a structured opportunity designed to ensure transparency and credibility, reflecting Vishnu Manchu\'s hands on approach. The focus on short films of up to 10 minutes allows for a wide range of creative entries, and the judging process prioritizes originality, narrative strength, and execution.\r\nThe announcement has generated significant buzz in the Indian film community, with many seeing it as a bold step toward democratizing access to the film industry. By offering a â‚¹10 crore feature film project to the winner, AVAA is setting a new benchmark for short film contests in India, and the initiative is expected to attract a large number of entries from across the country.\r\n

AVAA Short Film Contest Season 1

Vishnu Manchu Short Film To 10 Crore Feature Film Contest

\r\nSalaar 2 to spring Republic Day surprise. Prabhas is currently busy with high profile projects like Fauji, Spirit and sequels to Kalki 2898AD and Salaar2.\r\nNow all eyes are on Salaar 2 which is helmed by Prashanth Neel. Expectations are increasing on the project as it is the sequel to his hit film Salaar. Rumours are spreading that the makers are planning to delight all the fans by releasing the film\'s teaser on 25 Jan as Republic Day special.\r\nSalaar Part 1-Ceasefire captured the imagination of all and now all eyes are on Salaar Part 2-Shouryaanga Parvam. The film stars Shruti Haasan as the female lead while Prithviraj Sukumaran is playing an important role.\r\nThe music for the film is tuned by Ravi Basrur and is produced by Vijay Kiragandur under Hombale Films. The film\'s first part also starred&nbsp; Jagapathi Babu, Bobby Simha, Sriya Reddy, Ramachandra Raju, John Vijay, Easwari Rao, Tinnu Anand, Devaraj, Brahmaji and Mime Gopi in key roles.\r\n

Salaar 2 bracing for R-Day sensation

Salaar 2 to spring Republic Day surprise

Nani Nari Naduma Murari going strong earning profits. Sharwanand's recent romantic entertainer Nari Nari Naduma Murari which released during the Sankranti festival and entered into the fray along with other biggies like Chiranjeevi's Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Ravi Teja's Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, Naveen Polishetty's Anaganaga Oka Raju and Prabhas' The Raja Saab, stood its ground holding strongly, based on the postive talk.
The film directed by Ram Abbaraju of Samajavaragamana fame is creating a laughing riot in the theatres. According to the latest, the film breached the breakeven and entered into profit zone in all centres much to the delight of the makers and the producers.
The film starred Samyukta and Sakshi Vaidya as the female leads with Vishal Chandrasekhar tuning the music.
&nbsp;Naresh, Sampath Raj, Satya, Sunil are playing important roles in the film for which story is penned by Bhanu Bhogavarapu . Gnana Sekhar and Yuvaraj handled the cinematography while the dialogues are penned by Nandu Sarivigna.

Nari Nari Naduma Murari in profit zone

Nani Nari Naduma Murari going strong earning profits

\r\nAuto rams into Akshay Kumar security vehicle. In a major development, an auto rammed into the security entourage of Akshay Khanna. The incident happened when Akshay along with wife Twinkle Khanna were heading to their house from the Mumbai airport.\r\nWhen a car hit the auto from behind, the auto overturned and hit the security vehicle of Akshay Khanna. This resulted in the security vehicle topple to the right side.\r\nPolice reached the spot with in no time and brought the situation under control. The video of the accident is now going viral on social media. The auto was damaged completely. However no one was injured in the mishap.\r\nRecently Akshay and Twinkle celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and Twinkle posted , \"The best part of our marriage? We always encourage each other to fly. Sometimes literally, like today! Here\'s to 25 years of love, support and jumping off mountains.\"\r\n

Auto hits Akshay Security Vehicle

Auto rams into Akshay Kumar security vehicle

\r\nDid Pooja Hegde really slap a Top Star?. The comments attributed to Pooja Hegde that she slapped a top star when he entered her caravan without prior information left all shocked.\r\nPooja Hegde said when she got an offer opposite top star for a pan India project, she got excited but with in minutes everything fizzled out. She said the star entered into her caravan without her permission and started misbehaving with her. She said she lost her cool after few moments and gave him a tight slap. She said she virtually had to push the star physically to save herself from the obscene physical gestures.\r\nShe said after the incident she refused to be part of the project and following that her scenes were completed with a body double. Her comments resulted in fan wars. They said it was Prabhas during Radhe Shyam shoot.\r\nHowever later it came out that Pooja Hegde\'s comments turned out to be false and fake and she never gave any interview or spoke about such incident with anyone.\r\n

Pooja Hegde slaps Top Star

Did Pooja Hegde really slap a Top Star

\r\nKeerthy Suresh, a celebrated actress in South Indian cinema, is a name that resonates with audiences for her powerful performances and thoughtful choice of roles. Although she hails from Kerala, her heroine journey began in Tamil and stepped into Telugu Cinema with the film Nenu Sailaja opposite Ram Pothineni, which was a hit and launched her into the spotlight.\r\nKeerthy Suresh gained national acclaim and a National Award for her portrayal of Savitri in Mahanati, and has since become a leading star in Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam films. Her entry into Bollywood came with the Hindi remake of Vijay\'s Theri, titled Baby John, where she played Samantha\'s role, but the film failed to impress Hindi audiences and was a disappointing debut for her in the industry.\r\nDespite the setback of her first Hindi film, Keerthy Suresh\'s prospects in Bollywood did not end there. Her active participation in promotional activities for Baby John, even shortly after her marriage, caught the attention of several Bollywood producers and directors, earning her a reputation for professionalism and dedication.\r\nRecent reports suggest that Keerthy Suresh is now in advanced discussions to play the lead in a high-octane action entertainer starring Tiger Shroff, with Vidyut Jammwal also set to play a key role. This project is expected to feature heavy action sequences and could be a significant opportunity for Keerthy to establish herself in Hindi cinema. She is currently working on Rowdy Janardhana with Vijay Deverakonda in Telugu. She is also set to appear in the Hindi web series Akka this year.\r\n

Keerthy Suresh Bollywood Journey

Keerthy Suresh New Action Opportunity with Tiger Shroff

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is back with director Anees Bazmee for an untitled comedy, marking their first collaboration since the 2011 film Thank You. The duo, who have previously delivered hits like Welcome (2007) and Singh Is Kinng (2008), are reuniting for a project which is a remake of Telugu Blockbuster Sankranthiki Vasthunnam that promises fast paced humor and a host of quirky characters.
Akshay has also recently reunited with other directors like Subhash Kapoor and Priyadarshan, but this new venture with Bazmee is creating a buzz as it kicks off today, January 20, 2026, at Royal Gold Studios in Goregaon, Mumbai. A massive indoor set has been built for the shoot, and a source close to the production described it as a classic Anees Bazmee comedy, filled with confusion and hilarious situations.
The first phase of filming will run for five weeks at Royal Gold Studios, focusing on indoor scenes. The second schedule is set to take place in Delhi. Akshay will start solo, with other cast members, including lead actress Vidya Balan, joining later in the schedule. The film&rsquo;s cast also includes Raashii Khanna, Vijay Raaz, Zakir Hussain, and Sayaji Shinde, promising a blend of comedy, romance, action, and songs.
The project is produced by Dil Raju under Sri Venkateswara Creations, and while the title is still undecided, the team is focused on delivering a high energy, laugh a minute entertainer. Anees Bazmee also addressed rumors that the film is a remake of Sankranthiki Vasthunam (2025), stating that while the story is close to that premise and Dil Raju is producing both, the new film is not a direct remake and the team has put in a lot of hard work.

Akshay begins shooting for SV remake

Akshay Kumar Begins Shooting Anees Bazmee Film Produced By Dil Raju in Mumbai

\r\nVijay\'s highly anticipated film Jana Nayagan has generated massive online buzz, crossing 1 million \"I\'m interested\" clicks on BookMyShow despite its theatrical release hanging in the balance. Originally scheduled for January 9, 2026, to coincide with the Pongal weekend, the film hit a roadblock when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) did not grant the expected UA 16+ certificate and instead referred it to a revising committee, throwing its release plans into disarray.\r\nThis surge in audience interest rivals Vijay\'s 2023 hit Leo, which had about 1.1 million BookMyShow interests, highlighting the star\'s enduring box office appeal even amid uncertainty. The Supreme Court recently declined to entertain a plea by producers KVN Productions for immediate clearance, directing them back to the Madras High Court, with a hearing scheduled for January 20, 2026.\r\nThe film\'s legal battle stems from a single judge Madras High Court order that initially directed the CBFC to issue the censor certificate, which was later stayed by a division bench, prompting the producers to seek relief in the Supreme Court. The CBFC\'s last minute decision to send the film to a revising committee, despite a prior agreement to grant a UA 16+ certificate, has been a major point of contention, with the producers arguing that the delay has jeopardized the film\'s planned release.\r\nThe ongoing court case has left fans and exhibitors waiting for a new release date, with no official confirmation yet, but the online interest remains high, reflecting the film\'s strong fan base. Directed by H. Vinoth, Jana Nayagan features an ensemble cast including Mamitha Baiju, Bobby Deol, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Prakash Raj, Priyamani, Pooja Hegde, and Narain, among others. The film\'s music is composed by Anirudh Ravichander.\r\n

Jana Nayagan Massive Online Buzz

1 Million Interests For Jana Nayagan Despite Release Issues

\r\nAfter the blockbuster success of&nbsp; Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, which grossed over â‚¹300 crore at the box office, megastar Chiranjeevi is set to collaborate with director Bobby Kolli for his next big venture. Bobby Kolli, who previously directed Chiranjeevi in Waltair Veerayya, is teaming up with the star once again for an action-packed drama.\r\nAccording to sources close to the production, the film will center on a father-daughter relationship, with Chiranjeevi playing his own age and going all out to rescue his daughter from perilous circumstances. A young and popular heroine has been locked to play the daughter, though her name is yet to be revealed, and there is buzz about another well known actor joining the cast, adding to the excitement.\r\nThe film is expected to be a high budget, large scale production, and despite earlier reports of budget issues, the project is back on track and is slated to begin shooting in summer 2027. KVN Productions is bankrolling the film. Chiranjeevi also has another major film, Vishwambhara, which was delayed due to VFX challenges and is now scheduled for a summer 2027 release.\r\nThe new Bobby Kolli film is planned for a grand release during Sankranthi 2027, promising a festive treat for fans. With these back to back projects, Chiranjeevi continues to prove that age is just a number, consistently delivering box office hits and maintaining his mass appeal.\r\n

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