Movie lovers are getting gripped with the Hari Hara Veera Mallu fever. Pawan Kalyan\'s film Hari Hara Veera Mallu\'s first part, Sword vs Spirit is racing for release on 24 July 2025.\r\nExpectations are increasing on the film and with the advance booksing in USA opened, the figures are racing towards numerous records. Already the advance bookings crossed $100k mark and the momentum is increasing as the release date is fast approaching.\r\nThe film is directed by Jyothi Krishna and stars Nidhii Agerwal as the female lead while Bobby Deol is playing the role of an antagonist. The film also stars Nargis Fakhri, Nora Fatehi and Satyaraj in important roles.\r\nKeeravani is the music director for the film which is produced by AM.Ratnam on Mega Surya Productions banner.&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>

Movie News

HHVM bookings: Racing towards records

Hari Hara Veera Mallu advance bookings cross $100k in US

President Droupadi Murmu watched the special screening of Tanvi The Great which is set for a grand relaese on 18 July 2025.\r\nAnupam Kher arranged for the special screening at the Rashtrapati Bhavan and along with him, Boman Irani, Karan Tacker, and debutant Shubhangi.\r\nAnupam Kher speaking at the event, said &ldquo;It was an ultimate moment of pride for us to have the President and the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces watch our film, and to see her applaud it at the end was a dream come true,&rdquo;\r\nHe added &ldquo;As a director, this kind of endorsement from the highest office in the country is my ultimate &lsquo;kuch bhi ho sakta hai&rsquo; moment. She truly epitomises our film&rsquo;s tagline, &lsquo;Different But No Less\' (sic),\"\r\nTanvi The Great is helmed by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar, and is a collaboration between Anupam Kher Studios and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC). The film also features Jackie Shroff, Arvind Swami, and Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen in important roles.&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>

President watches Tanvi The Great

Anupam Kher screens Tanvi The Great for President Murmu

Sony LIV's latest Telugu original series, "Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans," is set to premiere on August 7. The series is a gripping political drama that explores the turbulent landscape of Andhra Pradesh in the mid-1990s. Loosely inspired by landmark political events, the show follows the parallel rise of two young politicians from opposing parties, tracing their journey as they navigate the complexities of power and loyalty.

The series is created by acclaimed filmmaker Deva Katta and features Aadhi Pinisetty as Kakarla Krishnama Naidu, Chaitanya Rao as MS Rami Reddy and Divya Dutta as Iravathi Basu in key roles. The teaser offers a sneak peek into the show, highlighting the deep camaraderie between the two lead characters despite their ideological differences. As they rise within their respective parties, their bond is put to the test by the harsh realities of politics. With its layered storytelling and gripping drama, Mayasabha promises to intrigue, shock, and thrill audiences.

Mayasabha presents a compelling inside view of political machinations, showcasing the gritty underbelly of real-life politics. The series is packed with political coups, shifting loyalties, and dramatic turns, making it a rollercoaster of secrets, power, and ambition. With its talented cast and gripping storyline, Mayasabha is set to be one of the most anticipated series of the year.

Mayasabha: The Rise of the Titans will stream exclusively on Sony LIV from August 7, available in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam. This thrilling series promises to take a journey of power, politics, and intrigue. With its gripping storyline and talented cast, Mayasabha is set to be a exciting for fans of political dramas.

Compelling Teaser Of Mayasabha 

Mayasabha The Rise of the Titans To Stream On Sony LIV 

Varun Dhawan who was spotted at the Mumbai airport delighted his fans by waving to them&nbsp; as he passed by. Then he saw two young kids along with their mother and the elder son asking for a selfie.\r\nHe stopped and delighted them with a selfie and when the youngest son was fascinated with his glasses, he at once in a spontaneous gesture, gave it to him.\r\nThe scene of the little admirer wearing sunglasses and posing happily with Dhawan quickly circulated online. Dhawan thanked the family and continued to engage with other fans before making his way to his car. The video was shared by one of the actor\'s fan pages called \'Varun Ki Madhu\' on X.\r\nFans started showering praises on Varun Dhawan.\r\nOne of the social media users said, \"Aww! He gave the kid those glasses. Sweet! (sic). Another added, \"Bacha ab lakh rupaye ka chashma pahnega (Kid would now wear sunglasses worth a lakh) (sic).\"\r\n<div></div>

Varun Dhawan delights his young fan

Varun Dhawan surprises his young fan

Rashmika Mandanna is starring in a female centric entertainer The Girlfriend and it is racing at a brisk pace under the direction of Rahul Ravindran.\r\nAlready the film\'s promotions generated immense hype on the film and according to the latest, the makers came up with the update on the film\'s first single. The film\'s first single titled Nadhive will be releasing on 16 July 2025.\r\nConfirming this, the makers released the poster which showed Rashmika Mandanna and lead actor Deekshith Shetty seen shaking their hands in a creative way.\r\nHesham Abdul Wahab is the music director for the film bankrolled by&nbsp; Geetha Arts, Mass Movie Makers, and Dheeraj Mogilineni Entertainment, and presented by renowned producer Allu Aravind. Plans are on to release the film on 9 December 2025.\r\nRashmika Mandanna is on a high scoring resounding hits and it has to be seen whether she will power The Girlfriend to another hit.\r\n<div></div>

The Girlfriend coming up with Nadhive

All set for The Girlfriend first single Nadhive

Tollywood comedian Fish Venkat\'s health condition has taken a turn for the worse. He has been battling serious health issues for the past few days, including kidney and liver failure, and has been unconscious for three days. His family has been pleading for financial assistance to help with his treatment, but so far, the response has been limited.\r\nThe lack of support for Fish Venkat has sparked public discussion and criticism, with many questioning why prominent stars in the industry have not come forward to help. Director and producer Tammareddy Bharadwaj has responded to the criticism, emphasizing the importance of planning for one\'s own future and saving money. He noted that no one will come to your aid unasked and that individuals must take responsibility for their own financial security.\r\nComedians like Fish Venkat, who bring laughter and joy to audiences on screen, often face harsh realities in their personal lives. Despite his success in films like Gabbar Singh, Fish Venkat is now struggling to make ends meet. His family has exhausted all their financial resources, and they are now facing severe monetary difficulties.\r\nAccording to the latest update from his family, Fish Venkat\'s condition remains critical. He has not regained consciousness, and doctors have confirmed that both his kidneys and liver have failed. The family remains hopeful but deeply concerned, as his condition shows no signs of improvement.&nbsp;

Fish Venkat Condition Critical

Fish Venkat Is Unconscious Remains In Critical Condition

Renu Desai, former wife of AP Dy CM Pawan Kalyan underwent surgergy and this is triggering rumours over his health. Fans are worried and started worrying about her health but she maintained silence regarding it.\r\nRenu Desai shared her picture along with her daughter aadya and came up with the message \"Finally out for dinner with my cuties post surgery\".\r\nRenu Desai is currenty busy with her social service activities. She was last seen in Tiger Nageswara Rao in which she played the role of freedom fighter and social activist Hemalatha Lavanam. Ravi Teja played the role of Tiger Nageswara Rao, under the direction of Vamsee.\r\nThe film is based on real life incidents and on the life of the dreaded thief Nageswara Rao in Stuartpuram, Andhra Pradesh in the 70s.\r\nFans often ask Renu Desai about her son Akira Nandan\'s on screen debut and she always had been vocal about it.&nbsp;

What happened to Renu Desai

Renu Desai undergoes surgery

\r\nIn the art of filmmaking creative freedom is the most important aspect. Many filmmakers maintain significant control over their work by fighting for their vision. In recent times many film makers are pushing boundaries and experimenting with new techniques to create the final output more innovatively. However the Cultural and Political Sensitivities, the increasing prominence of social media and public opinion are becoming hurdles for the creative freedom of film makers. Due to these several restrictions have been restricting filmmakers from expressing their creative freedom which in turn is hurting the quality of films.\r\nMaking films on controversial themes and uncomfortable topics in today&rsquo;s situation can lead to significant backlash or even professional consequences. Especially the filmmakers tackling sensitive themes based on community, historical events, or ongoing politics are frequently targeted by protests leading to film delays, cancellations, or unpredictable changes. So, many Directors and producers are now avoiding controversial themes and are coming up with regular format commercial films.&nbsp; \r\nDespite all this, there are still filmmakers who manage to push boundaries, but it&rsquo;s become harder and harder for them to do so without encountering some form of resistance. While it is necessary to control agenda based content, it is also equally required to provide necessary creative freedom to those who are concerned to raise their voice through their films about ongoing issues.\r\n

Creative freedom vs SM Pressures

Social Media And External Factors Restricting Creative Freedom

This weekend's OTT releases offer a diverse range of films and shows to stream across various platforms. From romance and social drama to comedy and dance nostalgia, there's something for every kind of viewer. Whether you're in the mood for a heartfelt romantic drama or a thought-provoking social commentary, these new releases are sure to captivate audiences.

The new releases include "8 Vasantalu", a Telugu-language coming-of-age story that explores themes of grief, love, and identity. "Narivetta" is a socially charged drama that follows a police constable caught in a moral conflict, while "Aap Jaisa Koi" is a romantic drama that tells the story of a middle-aged professor who finds unexpected love. "Moonwalk" is a dance film that brings to life the break dance craze of Kerala in the 1980s.

These films are streaming across major platforms such as Netflix, SonyLIV, and JioHotstar. "8 Vasantalu" is currently streaming on Netflix, while "Narivetta" and "Aap Jaisa Koi" are available on SonyLIV and Netflix, respectively. "Moonwalk" can be streamed on JioHotstar. With such a diverse lineup of releases, audiences have plenty of options to choose from.

Whether you're a fan of romance, drama, or comedy, these new releases have something for everyone. With powerful performances, sharp political overtones, and raw energy, these films are sure to captivate audiences. So grab your snacks, get cozy, and enjoy the weekend's new OTT releases.

New OTT Releases This Weekend

This Week Notable OTT Releases

\r\nShankar trolled after he announces new project. Director Shankar is hailed as the sensational director for his futuristic films and powerful message oriented entertainers. However, his last two films, Indian 2 and Game Changer turned out to be disasters.\r\nIn the midst of all this, Shankar announced his next project but he was trolled mercilessy as he maintained stoic silence after the disasters and now compared his new project with Hollwood films like Avatar, Game of Thrones.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nShankar announcing his new project, posted \"Enthiran was my Previous Dream project, now #Velpari is my dream film. It scope to introduce new technologies. Like GameOfThrones &amp; Avatar, Velparu has all scope to become our Pride Indian-Tamil film. Hope Dream comes true\"\r\nNetizens came up with the following reactions.\r\nA user wrote, \"It&rsquo;s scary when Shankar says such things!\" Another wrote, \"Velpari is my all time favourite Novel. Pls give the story rights to Rajamouli. He is the only director who can bring things alive and keeps the emotions to the heart of the audience. Shankar will spoil the movie in the name of VFX and unwanted budgets for songs.\"\r\nA third user wrote, \"Wishing nothing but an all time disaster Shankar sir.\" A user wrote, \"Bro is getting ready to waste producer&rsquo;s money.\" Addressing a comment to Shankar, a user wrote, \"If u want ur dreams come true, put your own money, don\'t waste producers money, u already did so much damage to dilraju garu, @shankarshanmugh. Producers don\'t believe him again. Don\'t waste ur money. A u already damaged two big production houses Lyca and svc.\" Another said, \"Focus on story not technology.\"\r\nVelpari is based on&nbsp; Veera Yuga Nayagan Vel Pari, a historical novel penned by Su Venkatesan. The plot centres around the ruler Vel Paari and the opposition he faced from the three dynasties - Chera, Chola and Pandya.\r\n

Shankar confirms Velpari- Faces trolls

Shankar trolled after he announces new project

The makers of the upcoming film "Couple Friendly" have unveiled a special poster on the occasion of Santosh Soban's birthday. The poster features Santosh Sobhan as a middle-class Telugu boy living in Chennai, and it promises to offer audiences a fresh and unique cinematic experience. The film is being produced by UV Concepts, under the presentation of UV Creations, and is set for a grand theatrical release soon in both Telugu and Tamil languages.

"Couple Friendly" is shaping up to be a musical romantic love story, with Santosh Sobhan and Manasa Varanasi starring as the lead pair. The film is being directed by Ashwin Chandrasekar, who is making his directorial debut with this movie. The cinematography is handled by Dinesh Purushothaman, while the music will be scored by Aditya Ravindran. With all production activities completed, "Couple Friendly" is gearing up for release soon.

The film features a talented cast, including Santosh Sobhan and Manasa Varanasi, who promise to deliver a beautiful rom-com. Santosh Soban is known for his rom-coms and entertainers, and he is expected to deliver another hit performance in "Couple Friendly". Manasa Varanasi, who was crowned Miss India, also has a strong character in the film. The film's technical crew includes Ganesh Shiva as the editor and Michael BFA as the art director.

"Couple Friendly" is set for a grand theatrical release in both Telugu and Tamil languages. Makers are yet to announce its release date. The film's production team, including UV Concepts and UV Creations, is working hard to ensure a successful release.

Brand New Poster From Couple Friendly

Couple Friendly Poster Unveiled on Santosh Soban Birthday

\r\nPrabhas\' upcoming film Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has completed its music production with composer Harshavardhan Rameshwar. The film is set to start shooting in the second week of September 2025, and there\'s already a buzz about the soundtrack possibly being a highlight. With Prabhas doing his own stunts as a cop, the film promises some serious action scenes.\r\nBacked by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, Spirit is aiming for a 2027 release. The film\'s production will begin soon, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has wrapped up the film\'s musical work. Once this project wraps, director Vanga will dive into writing his next ambitious film, Animal Park. The anticipated collaboration between Prabhas and Sandeep Reddy Vanga\'s film Spirit has been making waves on social media.\r\nAccording to reports, Prabhas will perform his own stunts in Spirit, and Sandeep Reddy Vanga has requested him to acquire a lean physique for the role. The film\'s story has been developed over six months, and the casting process is almost complete. With most things falling in place, Sandeep Reddy Vanga is set to start shooting Spirit with Prabhas in September/October 2025.\r\nSpirit is one of the most anticipated projects in Indian cinema, with high expectations surrounding the action drama. Sandeep Reddy Vanga is known for his intense storytelling and gripping narratives like Arjun Reddy / Kabir Singh and Animal, and fans are eager to see Prabhas in a completely new avatar. The film will be backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures on a grand scale, promising an epic cinematic experience.\r\n