Yash\'s upcoming film Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has secured major pan-India and overseas distribution deals worth crores, despite controversy surrounding its teaser. The film has partnered with AA Films for North India and Nepal distribution, and Phars Film for international distribution of Indian-language versions, valued at Rs 105 crore.\r\nThe film\'s teaser has sparked backlash, with the National Christian Federation (NCF) filing a complaint with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) over scenes deemed hurtful to religious sentiments. The complaint objects to an intimate scene in a car near a cemetery, followed by a gunfight, and the depiction of Archangel Michael\'s statue.\r\nDirected by Geethu Mohandas and co-written by Yash, Toxic features a star-studded cast, including Nayanthara, Kiara Advani, and Huma Qureshi. The film is set to release worldwide on March 19, 2026, clashing with Ranveer Singh\'s Dhurandhar 2 at the box office.&nbsp;\r\nFilmmaker Anurag Kashyap has defended the film, stating that the outrage against the teaser reveals cultural hypocrisy, highlighting the double standards applied to male and female actors\' on-screen expressions.\r\n<div></div>

Movie News

Toxic Secures Crazy Distribution Deals

Yash Toxic Secures Massive Distribution Deals Despite Religious Objection

Farhan Akhtar is set to make his Hollywood debut with a bang, starring in Sam Mendes\' four part biopic on the iconic rock band The Beatles. This historic project marks the first time four parts of a biopic will be released simultaneously in theaters, promising a unique cinematic experience. Farhan will play the role of Indian classical musician Ravi Shankar, a close friend and mentor to George Harrison, highlighting the band\'s transformative years and their connection to Indian music.\r\nThe film will explore Ravi Shankar\'s significant contribution to the band\'s musical journey, particularly his influence on George Harrison. The cast includes an impressive lineup of actors, such as Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn as George Harrison, and Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr. Other notable cast members include Saoirse Ronan as Linda McCartney, James Norton as Brian Epstein, and Anna Sawai as Yoko Ono.\r\nThe Beatles biopic is designed as a \"bingeable theatrical experience,\" with each film telling the band\'s story from a different member\'s perspective. Filming is currently underway and expected to wrap later this year, followed by an extended post production phase. The global theatrical release is planned for April 2028, and fans are eagerly awaiting this monumental project.\r\nThe project is being produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment, Neel Street Productions, and Apple Corps, with writing credits going to Jez Butterworth, Peter Straughan, and Jack Thorne. This collaboration promises to bring the iconic band\'s story to life in a unique and captivating way.\r\n<div></div>

Bollywood Dircetor Goes Hollywood

Farhan Akhtar Hollywood Debut with The Beatles

The highly anticipated film Varanasi, directed by S.S. Rajamouli, is making waves in the Indian cinema scene with its massive budget of â‚¹1,300 crore, making it one of the most expensive films ever produced in India. This ambitious project features an all-star cast, including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and is expected to push cinematic boundaries with its global scale, high-end production design, and Rajamouli\'s trademark storytelling.\r\nThe film\'s budget is reportedly â‚¹1,300 crore, excluding promotional costs, which is comparable to, if not exceeding, the scale of Rajamouli\'s previous blockbuster RRR. The investment signals Rajamouli\'s intent to deliver a spectacle designed for worldwide audiences. Priyanka Chopra has spoken about the thrill of being part of this ambitious venture, and the film\'s sheer magnitude has already turned it into one of the most talked-about projects in development.&nbsp;\r\nVaranasi has secured a record-breaking OTT deal with Netflix for around â‚¹650-700 crore for streaming rights. Mahesh Babu is reportedly taking a 40% profit-sharing deal, while Priyanka Chopra is earning around â‚¹25-30 crore for her role. The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 7, 2027, and expectations are sky-high as audiences await whether Varanasi can redefine box office benchmarks and further elevate India\'s presence on the global cinematic stage.\r\nWith its blend of global scale, high-end production design, and Rajamouli\'s trademark storytelling ambition, Varanasi is being positioned as a landmark moment for Indian cinema. The film\'s success is expected to have a significant impact on the Indian film industry, and fans are eagerly waiting for its release next Summer.\r\n<div></div>

Varanasi A Landmark in Indian Cinema

Varanasi Is The Biggest Budget Single Part Indian Film

Maruthi, known for delivering small-to-mid-budgeted entertainers, is facing a credibility crisis after his latest film, The Raja Saab, received a lukewarm response from audiences and critics. The film\'s OTT premiere sparked a storm on social media, with users dissecting scenes, sharing clipped sequences, and mocking what they described as outdated humour and predictable writing.&nbsp;\r\nThe criticism has hurt Maruthi\'s reputation. Industry buzz indicates that this negative momentum could have practical consequences, making it challenging for Maruthi to lock in star dates for his future projects. The question on everyone\'s mind is, Has Maruthi\'s brand lost its sharpness?&nbsp;\r\nMaruthi originally carved a niche with small-to-mid-budget films featuring fresh faces and relatable humour, but the current criticism implies that somewhere along the way, that instinct dulled. Trade observers argue that it would be premature to write Maruthi off entirely. Telugu cinema has repeatedly seen directors bounce back after severe setbacks.&nbsp;\r\nHowever, a comeback will require more than defensive interviews or star driven announcements. It will demand reinvention, sharper writing, contemporary sensibilities, and perhaps a return to the smaller, content-driven space that once defined his success.&nbsp; For now, Maruthi stands at a crossroads, and the industry is watching closely. Can he bounce back from this setback, or is it time for a change? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain, Maruthi\'s next move will be crucial in determining his future in the film industry.\r\n<div></div>

Whats Next For Director Maruthi

Maruthi Credibility Crisis After The Raja Saab Debacle

The critically acclaimed Telugu film Sri Chidambaram Garu is set to make its digital debut on OTT soon. The film, which was released in cinemas on February 6, has received a decent response from audiences and critics. Now, the feel good drama is ready to reach a wider digital audience.\r\nPopular streaming platform ETV Win has acquired the digital rights of the film. The platform has officially announced that Sri Chidambaram Garu will begin streaming on OTT from February 19. This move is expected to give the film a new lease of life and help it reach a larger audience.\r\nDirected by Vinay Ratnam, Sri Chidambaram Garu features young actors Vamsi Tummala and Sandhya Vasishtha in the lead roles. The film is produced by Chinta Vinisha Reddy and Chinta Gopalakrishna Reddy. The film\'s story revolves around themes of self respect and love, and has received positive reviews from critics.\r\nThe digital release of Sri Chidambaram Garu is highly anticipated, and fans are eager to watch the film on OTT. Let\'s wait and watch how the film fares in the digital space. With its strong narrative and impressive performances, Sri Chidambaram Garu is expected to do well on OTT.\r\n<div></div>

Critically Acclaimed Film Locks OTT

Sri Chidambaram Garu to Stream on OTT From This Date

Sree Vishnu is coming to entertain movie lovers with his upcoming film titled interestingly as Vishnu Vinyasam. The film directed by newcomer Maruthi Rao is progressing at a brisk pace.

The film's first gilmpse and the first single got good response and the makers today released the new song Modhale. The second single released on the eve of Valentines Day captivated all with mesmerising romance.

Radhan tuned the romantic melody and it is sung in a soulful and beautiful manner by Madhushree and Naresh Iyer. The touching and feelgood lyrics are penned by Rama Jogaiah Sastry.

The chemistry between Sree Vishnu and Nayan Sarika turned out to be the highlight in the song shot in the backdrop of captivating visuals. The song is already connecting chords with the genex movie lovers.

The film has&nbsp; the Ongole backdrop, and produced by Sumanth Naidu G under the banner of Sree Subramanyeshwara Cinemas.

Modhale from Vishnu Vinyasam Out

 Modhale from Vishnu Vinyasam mesemerises romantically

Seems these are not good times for Thalapathy Vijay and his party TVK. Even before one could forget the tragic stampede and the death of many inocents at his TVK party rally in Karur, another death happened in his party\'s recent rally in&nbsp; Salem, Tamil Nadu.\r\nA 37-year-old Vijay fan named Suraj from Maharashtra fainted during the rally and was rushed to the hospital. He suffered a heart attack during the political meeting. Police said, &ldquo;During the event, he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed for medical assistance, but was declared dead, reportedly due to a heart attack. Police are conducting further inquiries into the incident.&rdquo; It was initially believed that he died due to crowd congestion.\r\nPolice found it difficult to control the crowd, as videos show hundreds of fans even blocking his car and causing a ruckus.&nbsp; Vijay\'s fans did overaction when they hijacked the temple sound system and played the Vijay\'s film song. Temple authorities filed FIR against the TVK.\r\nThe&nbsp; incident took place at the \'Yaanai Paadhai\' (Elephant Path) area of the hill shrine. The video shows an unidentified youth connecting his phone to the public address system of the temple and blasting the song by Vijay at full volume. The song has been used by Vijay\'s party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, for his ongoing electoral campaign.

Another death in TVK rally

Trouble for Vijay as another death happened in his TVK party rally

Sunny Leone played an important role in Anurag Kashyap\'s Kennedy which won the accolades at international level.\r\nNow,Sunny Leone speaking to scribes, shared her thoughts about it. She said \"I never in a million years thought that he was going to call me and say, \'Hey, I\'ve a part, will you come in for an audition?\' I was blown away by just the offer. When I hung up the phone, I got scared and extremely nervous. Just the idea of having this chance to be able to be a part of something that is larger than anything I\'ve done before,\"\r\nShe added \"Just being able to work with him is really like a dream. It still is a dream. I was so happy and so in disbelief for so long. I was like, until I reach the set, I don\'t think I\'m going to believe that I\'m a part of this,\"\r\nThe film will be streaming on Zee5 from 20 Feb onwards. The neo-noir film, which premiered in the Cannes sidebar Midnight Screenings, follows Kennedy aka Uday Shetty (Bhat), leading a double life as a cab driver while carrying out hits for corrupt Police Commissioner Rasheed Khan. Haunted by the loss of his son and his broken family, Kennedy searches for redemption in a city that won\'t let him escape his past.

Sunny Leone talks about Kennedy

Sunny Leone hopeful after Kennedy

Allu Sirish is all set to enter into wedlock with Nayanika on 6 March 2026. Already the couple recently had a bachelorette party in Dubai.\r\nAccording to the latest, the pre-wedding preparations and celebrations kick-started and&nbsp; the pictures are going viral on social media. The pre wedding photoshoot was held in Dubai and yesterday the Pasupu Muhurtham ceremony was held with Chiranjeevi&rsquo;s wife Surekha, Ram Charan&rsquo;s wife Upasana Konidela, and Pawan Kalyan&rsquo;s wife Anna Lezhneva participating in the rituals.\r\nAllu Sirish posted the pictures and shared &ldquo;Pasupu function at Allu residence&rdquo; written on it. The video begins by showing how their home was done up with yellow and white flowers for the occasion. His father, producer Allu Aravind, was all smiles. Arha even took part in the harathi (arti) along with Chiranjeevi&rsquo;s wife, Surekha Konidela.\r\nAllu Sirish was last seen in a film titled Buddy. He is yet to announce his next project.\r\n<div></div>

AS pre wedding celebrations kickstarts

Allu Sirish pre wedding celebrations in fullswing

Megastar Chiranjeevi Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, the Sankranthi blockbuster directed by Anil Ravipudi, has made waves in the OTT space. The film premiered on ZEE5 on February 11, 2026, and has already set a new benchmark with 200 million streaming minutes in just 24 hours. This impressive feat reflects the film\'s wide family appeal and festive entertainer vibe.\r\nThe film features a star-studded cast, including Nayanthara, Venkatesh, Sachin Khedekar, Catherine Tresa, and Zarina Wahab. Produced jointly by Shine Screens and Gold Box Entertainment, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu boasts an energetic soundtrack and background score by Bheems Ceciroleo, elevating the celebratory tone.\r\nAfter dominating the box office, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu has now firmly established its supremacy in the OTT space. The film\'s success story is far from over, with industry observers expecting the momentum to grow stronger in the coming days.\r\nMana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu is available to stream on ZEE5 in multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, and Bengali. The film\'s OTT debut has generated significant buzz, and fans are eagerly watching the family entertainer.

MSG Record In OTT

Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu In OTT Record 200 Million Streaming Minutes in 24 Hrs

\r\nVijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, Tollywood\'s most talked about couple, have grabbed headlines for rejecting a massive OTT wedding deal offer. Despite months of speculation about their wedding plans, neither star has made an official announcement. Recent buzz suggested major OTT platforms were fighting to secure exclusive rights to their wedding footage, with an international streaming giant offering a whopping â‚¹60 crore for digital rights.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThe couple\'s decision to turn down the offer highlights their desire to keep their personal moment private and intimate. Sources close to Vijay and Rashmika say they\'re prioritizing sharing this moment with close family and friends rather than broadcasting it for entertainment or commercial gain. This isn\'t surprising, given their preference for keeping their engagement private, which was attended only by family members and close friends in October 2025.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nWhile the wedding details remain unconfirmed, reports suggest it might take place in Udaipur on February 26, 2026. The ceremony is expected to be an intimate affair, blending South Indian and Rajasthani traditions. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official confirmation from the couple, who have been rumored to be dating since their films Geetha Govindam (2018) and Dear Comrade (2019).\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThe couple\'s commitment to keeping their personal life private is admirable, and their fans are likely to respect their decision. As the buzz around their wedding continues, it\'s clear that Vijay and Rashmika are focused on celebrating their love in a meaningful way.\r\n

Vijay Rashmika Rejected Big Deal

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna Reject Massive OTT Wedding Deal Offer

Funky (2026) Telugu Movie: What's Behind

When Mass Ka Das Vishwak Sen and talented director KV.Anudeep announced their association for Funky, movie lovers got surprised as KV.Anudeep is known for his hilarious entertainers and he cast a magic spell with Jathi Ratnalu on debut. Vishwak Sen got the mass image with his intense performances.

However, of late KV.Anudeep failed to make ann nimpact with his films like First Day First Show and Prince and so too Vishwak Sen with his previous entertainers, Gangs of Godavari , Mechanic Rocky and Laila.

Let us see what impact Vishwak Sen and KV.Anudeep create with Funky. The film is releasing on 13 Feb 2026 as Valentines Day special. Funky OTT rights are yet to be inked and the deal will be finalised at a later date.

Funky (2026) Telugu Movie: Story Review

Funky story revolves around an aspiring director and how he deals when the producer suffers due to the shooting budget.

Maya lives to dance, but later reality dims her dreams. A quirky local crew reignites her passion through rehearsals, jam sessions, and street battles. With her new friends, she learns to embrace the chaos and be unapologetically herself.

Komal (Vishwak Sen), an aspiring director's bizzare antics land the Manchi Production House's owner (Naresh) life in danger.

Where this leads to and what role his daughter Chitra (Kayadu Lohar), GK (Sampath Raj) form the rest of the developments.

Funky (2026) Telugu Movie: Artists Review

Vishwak Sen perfomed his role accordingly. His body language is good and came up with his usual expressions and emotions as per his character.

Kayadu Lohar is just ok in her role. She looked gorgeous and beautiful on the screen.

VK. Naresh is ok with his role for few laughs. Others like Sampath Raj, Muralidhar Goud and others performed according to their roles.

Funky (2026) Movie: Technicians Review

Funky Story is penned by Anudeep KV &amp; Mohan Sato. KV.Anudeep tried to entertain movie lovers with a light hearted entertainner and highlight the value of emotions in the backdrop of film shooting. Though the idea excites on paper, he failed to execute on the big screen.

Right from the start, he doesn't get on a serious note and after establishing the core point and introducing various characters, he tried to entertain viewers by generating humour through scenes and dialogues. Except for few scenes, the so called comedy scenes turned out to be stale and outdated. The first half and the second half is marred with the smilar disparities and so there is no much difference between them.

One gets a feeling that KV.Anudeep tried to create Jathi Ratnalu kind of entertainer, but except for few scenes, he failed completely. Most of the scenes and comedy scenes looked forced and there are many missing logics and the convenient screenplay dented everything.

While Vishwak Sen's character demanded more character arc, Kayadu Lohar's role just passed through the motions. The scenes featuring KV.Anudeep and MAD director Kalyan Shankar turned repetitive and irritating. Sampath Raj's character looked silly and so did many other roles. Finally when the film ended viewers heaved a sigh of relief.

The music tuned by Bheems Ceciroleo for the songs didnot make any appeal to the viewers. Except for a song, he failed to impress with the tunes. The background score also didnot inspire any confidence. The background music turned out to be below par much to the surprise of all.

Suresh Sangram with his cinnematography managed to turn the film colorful and except that he didnot do anything extraordinary. The editing of Naveen Nooli left many repetitive scenes in the film which impacted the flow of the narration virtually dragging the scenes testing the patience of the viewers.

Funky Movie: Advantages

Few Witty Dialogues

Funky Movie: Disadvantages

Story, Screenplay, Direction

Weak Characterisations

Funky (2026) Telugu Movie: Rating Analysis

Altogether, Funky turns out to be a disappointing entertainer. Much was expected from KV. Anudeep of Jathi Ratnalu fame and Mass Ka Das Vishwak Sen. However, Anudeep seems to have been stuck with Jathi Ratnalu and Vishwak Sen seemed to have no clue as to what he should do. This complete disconnect is seen in all the scenes, and it completely impacted the film's final output.

Anudeep failed to come up with clear and powerful characterisations, and this missing clarity left Vishwak Sen just pass through the motions. People in the meantime, are left to wonder how the project went to sets with such a weak story, lethargic screenplay and direction. Wonder why KV.Anudeep should create another Jathi Ratnalu while already one is there. He should comeup with a new story to entertain movie lovers. Considering all these elements, Cinejosh goes with a 2 rating for Funky.

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