\r\nThammareddy Bharadwaja on The Raja Saab. Prabhas\' The Raja Saab directed by Maruthi which released on 9 Jan 2026 turned out to be a huge disappoint to the movie lovers.\r\nIn the midst of all this, Thammareddy Bharadwaja speaking to scribes came up with a stinging take on the film. He said &ldquo;From what I know, when The Raja Saab was initially conceived, it was meant to be a small, cute film that would connect with Telugu audiences. When the producer started the project, he brought in director Maruthi. He is not known for making large-scale commercial films. He was brought in specifically to make a simple film within a regular budget for a Telugu release. I don&rsquo;t understand why they did not stay true to that original idea.&rdquo;\r\nThe film starred Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal and Riddhi Kumar in female lead roles and music is tuned by Thaman. The film featured Sanjay Dutt in a key role.\r\n

Movie News

Filmmaker stinging comment on TRS

Thammareddy Bharadwaja on The Raja Saab

\r\nManchu Manoj gives David Reddy special. Manchu Manoj is coming to entertain movie lovers with his upcoming film titled interestingly as David Reddy.\r\nManoj shared that the film\'s first look will be released on 26 Jan 2026 as Republic Day special. Making the announcement, he shared the prelook in which Manchu Manoj is seen in rugged and rustic manner with his face covered with a mask soaked with blood and he sporting an intense gaze.\r\nThe film is directed by Hanuma Reddy Yakkanti and is bankrolled on a prestigious manner by Motukuri Bharath and Nallagangula Venkat Reddy under the Velvet Soul Motion Pictures banner.&nbsp; Ravi Basrur is the music director for the film.\r\nManchu Manoj recently made his presence felt in the powerful roles of the antagonists in films like Bhairavam and Mirai. His role in Teja Sajja\'s Mirai won the hearts of all.\r\n

Manoj gives David Reddy special

David Reddy readies for the first look

\r\nThe much loved Hindi web series Panchayat is set to make a grand return with its fifth and final season, bringing the journey of Phulera village to a heartfelt close. After winning audiences with its rooted storytelling, gentle humour and emotional depth, the series will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime Video from February 2, 2026.\r\nThe series has carved a special place in India\'s OTT space by portraying rural life with authenticity and warmth, turning everyday moments into memorable stories. At the heart of Panchayat is Abhishek Tripathi, played by Jitendra Kumar, a city bred engineering graduate who lands a government job as the secretary of a gram panchayat in Phulera.\r\nSeason 5 takes the story forward as Abhishek and the villagers navigate new aspirations, unresolved conflicts and changing personal equations. The final chapter delves deeper into emotional growth, relationships and the bittersweet realities of change. Fans can expect meaningful resolutions, relatable dilemmas and moments that reflect why Panchayat remains one of India\'s most cherished web series.\r\nThe concluding season promises a more layered and emotional narrative, tying together long running character arcs while staying true to the show\'s trademark simplicity and humour.\r\n

Panchayat Season 5 Streaming Date

Panchayat Season 5 OTT Release Details

\r\nDirector Tharun Bhasker has confirmed that Sai Sushanth, who played Karthik in the original film, will not be part of the sequel, ENE2. The reason behind his exit is unknown, but reports suggest Srinath Maganti will replace him. Srinath, known for Hit 2 and Lucky Bhaskar, is expected to bring a new dynamic to the role.\r\nTharun Bhasker assured fans that the sequel will retain the buddy comedy flavour and offer surprises beyond imagination. The film will feature cameos from established personalities and extensive VFX. Producer Suresh Productions is backing the project, and the team is working hard to ensure the film meets expectations.\r\nENE2 is a cult classic sequel, with the original film impressing audiences with its portrayal of friendship and college life. Tharun Bhasker\'s direction and the film\'s authenticity have generated buzz among fans. The sequel promises to be a blockbuster, with the director working to ensure a smooth transition despite the cast change.\r\nThe wait is on for official updates, as fans are eager to see how the new cast member will fit into the beloved characters. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi is a cult classic among the current generation audience.\r\n

ENE 2- Tharun Confirms Karthik Exit

Karthik Replacement From Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi 2 Sparks Buzz

\r\nAnil Ravipudi is set to release his next film on Sankranthi 2027, following the massive success of Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu starring Chiranjeevi. The film is expected to be a sequel to Sankranthiki Vasthunna, starring Venkatesh, with shooting set to begin in June. However, official confirmation is still pending.\r\nAnil Ravipudi has received offers from producers Sahu Garapati and Venkata Satish Kilaru, and will decide on the project soon. The casting is expected to be a big surprise, with fans speculating about potential combinations on social media. The film\'s success is highly anticipated, given Anil Ravipudi\'s track record.\r\nWith Sankranthi 2027 around the corner, audiences and trade are eagerly waiting for Anil Ravipudi\'s next film. The director\'s previous success has created a buzz, and fans are expecting a blockbuster. Anil Ravipudi\'s next project is likely to be a major hit, given his previous successes.\r\nThe wait for Anil Ravipudi\'s next film is expected to be worth it, as he takes his to finalize his next and then takes time to craft a compelling story and execute it flawlessly.\r\n

Anil Locked Sankranthi 2027 Slot

Anil Ravipudi Is Yet To Lock The Star For His Next Year Sankranthi Release

\r\nRashid Khan to watch Border2. Varun Dhawan\'s Border 2 directed by Anurag Singh is releasing on 23 Jan 2026 as Republic Day special. The film is the sequel to the yesteryear classic. The film also stars Sunny Deol,Ahan Shetty, Diljit Dosanjh, Medha Rana, Mona Singh, and Sonam Bajwa in important roles.\r\nAhead of its release, Afghanistan team\'s former captain, Rashid Khan expressed his desire to watch the film. He posted a reel which shows Rashid Khan roadside in Dubai, roasting corn over coal with a song from Border 2 playing in the background. Khan adds a humorous caption to his post: \"Border 2 toh mein zaroor dekhunga (I will surely watch Border 2), but let&rsquo;s see what happens if I post this.\"\r\nVarun Dhawan reacted&nbsp; bhaji (Yes brother).\" Ahan Shetty, who also stars in the upcoming film, joined with the message, \"Lots of love bhai.\" Veteran actor Suniel Shetty reacted, \"Ye hui na baat.\"\r\nIn the meantime, Border2 got a shock when many Gulf countries along with UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain banned the film.\r\n

Rashid Khan to watch Border2

Border2 - Afghan cricketer interested

\r\nRajamouli praises Priyanka Chopra The Bluff. Global Beauty Priyanka Chopra is playing the role of Mandakini in Rajamouli\'s upcoming magnum opus Varanasi which stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role. The film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Prakash Raj in important roles.\r\nIn the meantime, Rajamouli showered praises on Priyanka Chopra\'s performance in her upcoming film The Bluff. Rajamouli posted &ldquo;Priyanka is unstoppable and always surprises&hellip; What a commanding presence and fiery performance. Looking forward to #TheBluff.&rdquo;\r\nPriyanka Chopra replied back with the message &ldquo;Thank you for your kind words sir (folded hands and red heart emojis)&rdquo;.\r\nThe Bluff is an action thriller which stars Priyanka as Ercell \"Bloody Mary\" Bodden, a former pirate queen who escaped her violent past to build a quiet life on a Caribbean island in the late 1800s. Karl Urban will be seen as Captain Connor, the current leader of Bloody Mary&rsquo;s old crew and her former lover. The Russo Brothers have produced The Bluff through their AGBO Studios banner alongside their sister, Angela Russo-Otstot, who serves as chief creative officer.\r\n

Rajamouli heaps praises on Priyanka

Rajamouli praises Priyanka Chopra The  Bluff

\r\nPrashanth Neel roping this beauty for Dragon. NTR\'s Dragon directed by Prashanth Neel is the most awaited project. The film is progressing at a brisk pace and in the meantime, people are wondering what is RRR connection to Dragon.\r\nIt is known that Dragon features Rukmini Vasanth as the female lead while Anil Kapoor is playing an important role. The film\'s music is tuned by Ravi Basrur.\r\nNow inside talk is Prashanth Neel, just like how Rajamouli roped in Hollywood beauty Olivia Morris for NTR, is planning to do the same. Sources share Prashanth Neel is planning to cast Olivia Morris in an important role in Dragon.\r\nThis is exciting all the fans of NTR. Olivia Morris cast a magic spell with her perfomance as Jenny in RRR and her scenes with NTR who played the role of Komaram Bheem came out well.\r\nDragon is bankrolled on Mythri Movie Makers and NTR Arts banner.\r\n

RRR Connection To Dragon

Prashanth Neel roping this beauty for Dragon

\r\nAlpha addressing multiple problems. When YRF announced female spy thriller Alpha featuring Alia Bhatt and Sharwari Wagh, everyone got excited. Now reports are coming that the film is in multiple problems.\r\nA source shares &ldquo;There are several tweaks being made. The landscape &mdash; and the market &mdash; have changed considerably.&rdquo; The source continues &ldquo;Audiences today are gravitating towards raw, grounded, and rustic storytelling, as seen with Dhurandhar. Large-scale, VFX-heavy spectacles don&rsquo;t automatically resonate anymore.&rdquo;\r\nThe makers earlier announced that the release date was postponed from December 2025 to April 2026 due to extensive usage of VFX. Hrithik Roshan is playing a powerful cameo while Anil Kapoor and Bobby Deol are paying important roles in the film.\r\nBut now the makers announced the postponement stating \"#BreakingNews... ALPHA AVOIDS CLASH WITH BATTLE OF GALWAN - YRF TO DECIDE ON A NEW DATE... #AdityaChopra steps aside for #SalmanKhan, moving Alpha from its previously announced release date of April 17, 2026, to avoid a direct clash with BattleOfGalwan. #YRF had locked April 17, 2026, for Alpha, but the makers will now announce a new release date after assessing the theatrical release calendar over the next couple of months.\"\r\n

Alpha in multiple problems

Alpha addressing multiple problems

\r\nWhat is happening with Peddi. Ram Charan\'s Peddi directed by Buchhi Babu Sana of Uppena fame is the cynosure of all eyes. The film is heading for a spectacular release on 17 March 2026.\r\nIn the meantime, it is coming out that the makers already locked the first half edit and they have sent the same to music composer AR.Rahman. Rahman will be doing the re recording for the same in the coming days.\r\nApart from it, Ram Charan will be participating in the film\'s next schedule starting from today. Ram Charan will be seen romancing Janhvi Kapoor as the female lead in the film which features Shiva Rajkumar, Jagapathi Babu, Divyenndu Sharma, in important roles.\r\nVriddhi Cinemas and presented by Mythri Movie Makers in association with Sukumar Writings is bankrolling the project in a prestigious manner. The film is up for pan India release and expectations are soaring on the film.\r\n

Latest on Peddi

What is happening with Peddi

The Raja Saab and Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi sinks at the box office. The sankranthi festival started for Telugu movie lovers one week ahead with Prabhas coming to entertain movie lovers with his film The Raja Saab. It continued with Chiranjeevi's Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, Ravi Teja's Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, Naveen Polishetty's Anaganaga Oka Raju and Sharwanand's Nari Nari Naduma Murari.

While all the films managed to give wholesome entertainment to movie lovers cashing on to the Sankranthi season, Prabhas' The Raja Saab which released amidst huge expectations and Ravi Teja's Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, turned out to be disasters.

The two films turned out to be Sankranti disasters failing to take advantage even though no films released on the next week. The Raja Saab plunged into losses amounting to Rs 75-80crs while Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi made losses upto Rs8-10crs.

This once again proved that Star cast, big banner, high end VFX, CGIs come to nothing , is the content is not strong and the directors and filmmakers take movie lovers and their intelligence for granted.

Sankranthi releases: TRS, BMW sinks

The Raja Saab and Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi sinks at the box office 

\r\nBalagam Venu, maker of Yellamma trolled for this reason. Star comedian Venu captivated all on debut with the film Balagam as the director. The film won many awards and accolades and people hailed him for highlighting the Telangana culture in a natural and realistic manner.\r\nHe is now set to direct Yellamma bankrolled by Dil Raju in a prestigious manner under his Sri Venkateswara Creations. Recently the glimpse of Yellamma with Devi Sri Prasad in the lead captured the imagination of all.\r\nIn the meantime, he is getting trolled mercilessly on social media. Venu shared the pictures on social media from a Temple in Telangana and he was seen wearing his shoes. Many questioned how could he wear the shoes in the temple premises and said he hurt the sentiments of all the people.\r\nBut members from the film fraternity informed that the as the pre production is in fullswing , for safety reasons, as the cables are laid , these things happen. Some felt that sharing the images at this time, will definitely hurt the sentiments of the people.\r\n