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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Anjali Anish to star opposite Rishi in Prashanth Rajappa's next
The upcoming film, marking Prashanth Rajappa's directorial debut, starring Rishi in the lead, is gaining momentum. Best known for his sharp and witty dialogues, Prashanth is stepping behind the camera for the first time with this yet-to-be-titled comedy-drama. While the makers kept most of the cast under wraps, Cinema Express has exclusively learned that Anjali Anish has joined the film for a significant role. Anjali, who made her debut with Padavi Poorva, is now taking on what insiders describe as an interesting role. She will share screen space with Rishi for the first time. Her last appearance was in Yogaraj Bhat's Manada Kadalu. Her character details will be revealed at the heels of her joining the sets. The film's story, screenplay, and dialogues are penned by Prashanth Rajappa, with Ashok handling cinematography. The shoot is primarily taking place in Bengaluru, with a few sequences planned elsewhere.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Theatre exhibitors temporarily call off bandh ahead of the releases of Kamal Haasan's Thug Life and Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Mallu
Exhibitors from the Telugu states – Telangana and Andhra Pradesh – have temporarily called off the single-screen theatres bandh after a crucial meeting between the exhibitors' association and leading Telugu film producers on Wednesday. The bandh, initially scheduled to begin on June 1, was announced by the exhibitors' association in protest over the ongoing dispute regarding the revenue-sharing model between producers and theatre owners. According to a report in Cinema Express, although the meeting did not result in a concrete resolution, exhibitors decided to defer the bandh in light of the potential business opportunity because of the release of two highly anticipated films – Kamal Haasan's Thug Life and Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Mallu, which are set to hit theatres on June 5 and June 12, respectively. Why was the bandh called? On Sunday, exhibitors from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana issued a bandh notice announcing a complete shutdown of single-screen theatres starting from June 1. The decision came after a meeting of the exhibitors' association. The core issue stems from their dissatisfaction with the current rental-based revenue-sharing model. Exhibitors are demanding a return to the percentage-based model, which was followed until 2002. The percentage-based system, which was originally followed by exhibitors, ensured a fairer split of revenue. However, a few major Telugu producers replaced it with a rental system, a move that impacted single-screen theatre owners. After this, the distributors and exhibitors continued following rental model. Following the bandh announcement, Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) Chairman Dr. Pratani Ramakrishna Goud appealed to the governments of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to intervene. He urged them to reintroduce the percentage model, asserting that such a system would be mutually beneficial to producers, exhibitors, and distributors. About Thug Life and Hari Hara Veera Mallu Thug Life is a gangster drama that marks the reunion of Kamal Haasan and acclaimed filmmaker Mani Ratnam after 38 years – the duo last collaborated on the iconic Nayakan (1987). The film also stars Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, and Aishwarya Lekshmi. With music composed by A. R. Rahman and cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran, the film has generated huge anticipation among fans. Hari Hara Veera Mallu, on the other hand, is a historical action-adventure film directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna. The film features an ensemble cast including Pawan Kalyan, Bobby Deol, Nidhhi Agerwal, Nargis Fakhri, and Nora Fatehi in pivotal roles.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Exhibitors put theatre bandh in Telugu states on hold temporarily for Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Thug Life
Exhibitors in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh initially called for a theatre bandh from 1 June due to issues with film producers over the revenue sharing model. A Cinema Express report states that they have now decided to temporarily call off the bandh due to the release of Hari Hara Veera Mallu (HHVM) and Thug Life. (Also Read: Kamal Haasan says he and Mani Ratnam 'want the audience to forget Nayakan' when they watch Thug Life) Telugu film producers and the exhibitors' association met on Wednesday to discuss the ongoing dispute over the revenue share model. The meeting was reportedly inconclusive, and the parties will discuss it further before reaching an agreement. However, an unofficial interim was reached, as a source close to the Telugu Film Chamber of Commerce (TFCC) told the publication that the exhibitors will temporarily put the bandh on hold, given the potential theatrical business coming in from Thug Life's release on 5 June and HHVM's release on 12 June. TFCC chairman Dr Pratani Ramakrishna Goud released an official statement and called upon the governments of both the Telugu states to intervene and reintroduce the percentage system that the exhibitors are asking for. He also stated that this system would benefit producers, exhibitors, and distributors, encouraging more opportunities for budding producers. Earlier this week, the exhibitors' association called for a single-screen theatre bandh in the Telugu states from 1 June. The exhibitors pressed for a percentage-based revenue model versus the rental-based model currently in use for theatrical revenue. The percentage system they asked for was reportedly in practice until 2002. However, a few Telugu producers decided on the rental-based system, which reportedly made things difficult. Should the bandh still go into effect from 1 June, only multiplex theatres will remain open in both states. Mani Ratnam's Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR and Trisha Krishnan-starrer Thug Life, and Krish and AM Jyothi Krishna's Pawan Kalyan and Bobby Deol-starrer HHVM, will be the films potentially affected. Sekhar Kammula's Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna and Jim Sarbh-starrer Kuberaa and Mukesh Kumar Singh's Vishnu Manchu-starrer Kannappa are also slated for release in June.
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
AP and Telangana theaters likely to shut down from June 1 amidst Pawan Kalyan's HHVM, Mani Ratnam's Thug Life release
In the months of May and June 2025, several exciting films will be released in the South cinema. These include Pawan Kalyan's Hari Hara Veera Mallu, Kamal Haasan's Thug Life and more. However, it seems that there is some kind of uncertainty over the fate of these movies lately. A Cinema Express report has revealed that theaters in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are likely to face a bandh or shutdown, from June 1 onwards. Around 60 film exhibitors have met and discussed with notable producers like Dil Raju and Suresh Babu to resolve long-standing issues over the current rental-based revenue model followed by filmmakers. The meeting was concluded with pressure from the exhibitor fraternity demanding a percentage-based model for revenue over the current one. Queries have also been raised over some films that move over to OTT releases more quickly than the desired window of theatrical run. A request has also been made to withhold the digital release of films for a longer time until a movie completes the bare minimum run in theaters. The final consensus that had been arrived at in this meeting resulted in the theater owners calling for a complete bandh or shutdown, of single screens from June 1. Reportedly, many distributors and producers did not even turn up for this meeting. As a result, since no consensus had been reached as an output, the bandh will directly affect some of the big ticket releases scheduled for that time, including Hari Hara Veera Mallu (release on June 12) and Thug Life (release on June 5) Moreover, should the consensus and resolution be delayed and the bandh be further extended, it would then affect films that are in the pipeline next, including Dhanush starrer Kuberaa (June 20) and Vishnu Manchu's Kannappa (June 27). It is yet to be seen if the impact of this meeting between film producers and theater owners will be resolved promptly or if it stretches further. This will directly affect the performance of the major film releases scheduled for the rest of the month.
Mint
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Telugu filmdom stares at blackout: Theatre bandh from June 1 threatens Mani Ratnam's Kamal Haasan starrer ‘Thug Life'
The Telugu film industry's future hangs in the balance as theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana brace for a potential shutdown starting June 1. If exhibitors and producers fail to find common ground, single-screen cinemas may shut shop, putting summer blockbusters and the industry revenues on the chopping block. According to a report by the Cinema Express, nearly 60 exhibitors met with prominent Telugu film producers, including Dil Raju and Suresh Babu, in Hyderabad recently, to address long-standing grievances about the current rental-based revenue system. The exhibitors are pushing for a shift to a percentage-based model, arguing it would offer a fairer share of box office earnings. During the meeting in Hyderabad, exhibitors pressed for a bandh in the Telugu states from June 1 till the issue is sorted. The meeting also spotlighted growing unease over films landing on OTT platforms too soon after theatrical release, as per the Cinema Express report. The road to resolution, however, presents a murky scenario. Industry bigwigs and producers were notably absent from the meeting, hinting at internal divides within the industry. If no consensus is reached, the bandh could disrupt major film releases scheduled for early summer. From Mani Ratnam directorial to Jyothi Krishna's movie Hari Hara Veera Mallu starring Pawan Kalyan and Bobby Deol — the release of multiple movies would be affected if the bandh begins from June 1. Mani Ratnam's much-anticipated film, Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, and Trisha Krishnan, is set to hit theatres on June 5. The movie is slated to release in both its original Tamil, and Telugu dubbed versions. Following closely on Thug Life's heels is Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1, featuring Pawan Kalyan, Bobby Deol, and Nidhhi Agerwal. Directed by Krish and written by Jyothi Krishna, the historical action epic is now scheduled for release on June 12, after being postponed from its original May 30 date, as per multiple reports. If the bandh is to be stretched, Sekhar Kammula's Dhanush, Nagarjuna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Jim Sarbh-starrer Kuberaa, which is set to hit the screens on June 20, might also be affected. Since 2024, theatres in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have been experiencing turbulent times. Audience numbers have dipped considerably, leaving owners with losses. 'If producers agree to a fair revenue sharing mode, then single screens can survive. Otherwise, single screens will become a thing of the past and all of them will shut down permanently sooner than later,' M Vijendar Reddy, president of the exhibitors association, had told during a 2024 press conference in Hyderabad, per a TOI report.
