Latest news with #Kaathal–TheCore
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
John Abraham hails Malayalam cinema as ‘Brave', praises Mammootty's role as gay politician
Bollywood actor John Abraham admires Malayalam cinema for its bold, meaningful stories and praises stars Mohanlal and Mammootty. He's set up a writer's room in Kerala to produce Malayalam films, inspired by their creativity. Recently, he starred in 'The Diplomat' and is preparing for 'Tehran', premiering August 14. Malayalam movies are known for their real and meaningful stories. They focus more on the story than on famous stars or flashy effects. Bollywood actor John Abraham has long admired this style for a long time. He recently said he wants to make movies much like Malayalam cinema and is a big fan of actors Mammootty and Mohanlal . John commends the Malayalam film industry'sboldness In an interview with Indian Express, John praised the Malayalam film industry for its courage in telling stories others rarely ever touch upon. He remarked, 'That industry is very brave. So, I think as of today, the best films in the country come from the Malayalam film industry. If you ask who my favourite actor is, I would say Mohanlal by light years. I love Meryl Streep also.' Admiration for Mammootty's role in 'Kaathal – The Core' John admired Mammootty for his role as a 'gay politician' in 'Kaathal – The Core', highlighting his status as a major fan of the Malayalam icon. He remarked, 'You look at Mammootty playing a politician , and you find out in the film that he is gay. I mean, it's brave for that man to do a film like that.' Setting up a writer's room in Kerala for Malayalam films The actor is eager to produce more Malayalam films and has taken a step by setting up a writer's room in Kerala. He explained, 'I thought maybe I could borrow from some of their ideas. So, what I did was set up a writer's room in Kerala. Let's generate ideas out of there and see films that could be made nationally or only in Malayalam. I want to produce more Malayalam films because it's the right time, they are fantastic. But, I also want to produce other films". John Abraham's recent and upcoming projects On the professional front, Abraham's most recent appearance was in the political thriller 'The Diplomat'. He is gearing up for his upcoming project 'Tehran', which will premiere exclusively on August 14
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
John Abraham says Malayalam cinema is making the ‘best films', praises Mammootty for playing a ‘gay politician': ‘That industry is brave'
Malayalam cinema is widely known for its realistic, content-driven storytelling, prioritising substance over star power and flashy visuals, a contrast to much of the Indian film industry. Bollywood actor-filmmaker John Abraham too has long admired their work. In an Idea Exchange session hosted by The Indian Express, John spoke about his desire to produce films inspired by Malayalam cinema and revealed that he is a huge fan of superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal. During the conversation, John Abraham shared that he finds the Malayalam film industry 'brave'. 'That industry is very brave. So, I think as of today, the best films in the country come from the Malayalam film industry. If you ask who my favourite actor is, I would say Mohanlal by light years. I love Meryl Streep also,' he said. John expressed his admiration for Mammootty for playing a 'gay politician' in Kaathal – The Core, mentioning that he is a huge fan of the Malayalam superstar. 'You look at Mammootty playing a politician and you find out in the film that he is gay. I mean, it's brave for that man to do a film like that,' he stated. John Abraham wants to produce more films in Malayalam and has even set up a writer's room in Kerala. 'I thought maybe I could borrow from some of their ideas. So, what I did was set up a writer's room in Kerala. Let's generate ideas out of there and see films that could be made nationally or only in Malayalam. I want to produce more Malayalam films because it's the right time, they are fantastic. But, I also want to produce other films,' he shared. ALSO READ | 'Chess is actually my favourite game and this board was gifted to me by Viswanathan Anand': Inside the award-winning home of John Abraham On the professional front, John Abraham was last seen in the political-thriller The Diplomat. His next film, Tehran, is set to release directly on ZEE5 on August 14.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
After Urvashi, Jeo Baby SLAMS National Film Awards: 'Standards Have Fallen...'
Last Updated: Filmmaker Jeo Baby questions the credibility of the National Film Awards, criticises The Kerala Story, and says politically driven films are being rewarded. The recently announced National Film Awards have sparked significant backlash, especially from members of the South Indian film industry. At the heart of the controversy are questions about credibility, merit, and alleged political bias. Many have expressed dismay over Shah Rukh Khan winning Best Actor for Jawan instead of acclaimed performances by Mammootty in Kaathal – The Core and Prithviraj Sukumaran in Aadujeevitham. The recognition given to The Kerala Story—a film widely criticized for peddling propaganda—has only intensified the criticism. Filmmaker Jeo Baby, known for socially resonant films like The Great Indian Kitchen and Kaathal – The Core, did not hold back in a recent interview with Hindustan Times. He questioned the integrity and value of the awards in today's climate. 'For the past 10 years or so, we've seen a pattern. Movies that seem to align with the agenda of ruling parties are winning awards at the national level. These awards seem to have no significance now, as they are encouraging plots and scripts that only the people in power believe in," Jeo said. 'Why have these awards when the movies cannot be treated on merit? What's the value of these awards?" he added. When asked whether he felt let down that Kaathal – The Core, which sensitively explored a homosexual relationship, was overlooked, Jeo clarified that it wasn't about personal disappointment, 'Personally, I've no such disappointment. But the awards given to The Kerala Story, a movie that misrepresented facts, is hugely disappointing. Not only was the movie full of lies, it was also shoddily made. The script, direction and acting were below par. Such misrepresentation of facts is quite scary." He also lamented the overall decline in the standards of national recognition, 'Previously, movies that won national awards were held in high esteem—even internationally. But the standards seem to have fallen. Awards to undeserving movies are an embarrassment. Our image internationally will be dented if this continues. It's not fair to the domestic viewers either." Jeo concluded by revealing that filmmakers often participate in the process not for recognition of their storytelling, but to ensure their technical crew has a shot at national honors,'Sometimes we send our entries only because we feel the technical crew should not miss out on winning a possible award." First Published: August 07, 2025, 16:10 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Suriya-Jyotika are proud parents as daughter Diya graduates high school. See pics
Actor couple Suriya and Jyotika are proud parents as their daughter Diya graduates high school. Jyotika posted numerous pictures from the graduation ceremony, writing about how proud the family is of Diya for completing this milestone. (Also Read: Thudarum director Tharun Moorthy reveals why Jyotika turned down Mohanlal's film: 'She was excited but…') One picture Jyotika posted is of her and Diya, with the latter dressed in a blue graduation gown and hat. Posting it, she wrote, 'Tassle worth the hassle! Proud of you girl!' Another picture shows Suriya also joining them for a picture, smiling widely, clearly proud of their daughter. Jyotika also posted numerous pictures of Diya with the 'proud grandparents' Sivakumar, Lakshmi, Chander Sadanah and Seema. She also took the moment to thank her daughter's teachers for guiding her well. A fan claimed that Jyotika posted another picture with Suriya and deleted it, writing on X (formerly Twitter), 'GUYS! Jyotika posted both these stories from her daughter's graduation but Suriya has different looks, in what seems to be pictures from the same day. She deleted the second one immediately. What is HAPPENING!!!' They also speculated, 'Did she reveal some Singham 4 look by mistake or sumn…' After the disappointing Kanguva in 2024, Suriya starred in Retro this year, which received mixed reviews. Directed by Karthik Subbaraj, the film received polarising reactions from people, but the actor's performance was praised. He has said yes to films helmed by RJ Balaji and Venky Atluri. Jyotika worked in the critically acclaimed Kaathal – The Core, in Malayalam, in 2023. After making a comeback to Hindi cinema with Shaitaan and Srikanth in 2024, Jyotika starred in the Netflix web series Dabba Cartel this year. She is currently working on a film directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for Prime Video.
Pink Villa
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
9 Top Jyotika films on OTT: Kaathal-The Core, Ponmagal Vandhal, Raatchasi and more
Jyotika has carved a special place in the hearts of Tamil cinema lovers. She is known for her charm, expressive eyes and strong screen presence. After making a mark in the film industry in the early 2000s, she took a break. After a long hiatus, her comeback was marked by bold and content-driven films that earned her wide critical acclaim. Today, Jyotika's movies on OTT reflect her evolution as an actor. Best Jyotika films to watch on OTT Chandramukhi Year of Release: 2005 Genre: Horror/comedy Why It's a Must-watch: Chandramukhi is a Tamil psychological horror comedy film starring Rajinikanth and Jyotika as the main leads. The story revolves around a mysterious palace haunted by the spirit of a dancer named Chandramukhi. Jyotika plays Ganga who is battling from a dissociative identity disorder. On the other hand, Rajinikanth portrays the character of a witty psychiatrist who unravels the mystery. The film's strong plot, stellar cast, and memorable music make it a must-watch. Kaathal– The Core Year of Release: 2023 Genre: Crime/drama Why It's a Must-watch: Kaathal– The Core is Jyotika's one of the best Malayalam films she did with Mammootty. The story follows the life of Mathew who is a respected family man. However, his wife Omana files for divorce and reveals he is homosexual. Both the lead actors deliver deeply moving performances. The simple storytelling and strong message make it a must-watch. Raatchasi Year of Release: 2019 Genre: Thriller/drama Why It's a Must-watch: If you like Tamil social dramas, then do watch Raatchasi. The story is about a brave woman named Geeta Rani. She is a former army officer who becomes headmistress of a poorly run government school. After joining, she works hard to improve the school. Despite the challenges, she transforms the school completely. The film shows how just one person can make a big difference. 36 Vayadhinile Year of Release: 2015 Genre: Family drama Why It's a Must-watch: This movie is surely a must-watch as it beautifully depicts how a woman feels in her mid 30s. The movie narrates the story of a 36-year-old woman stuck in a routine life. One day, she decides to reconnect with a friend after certain incidents in her life. She is then reminded of her past dreams which motivates her to start an organic farming project that helps many women. This film is about self-worth and second chances. OTT Platform: Aha Ponmagal Vandhal Year of Release: 2020 Genre: Thriller/drama Why It's a Must-watch: Fan of legal dramas? Then don't miss out on watching Ponmagal Vandhal on OTT. The film tells the story of a young lawyer named Venba who reopens an old murder case. As she digs deeper, she uncovers dark secrets that are awful. The movie shows her fight for justice in a broken system. Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu Year of Release: 2006 Genre: Thriller/action Why It's a Must-watch: If a movie features both Kamal Haasan and Jyotika, then it is surely a must-watch on OTT. Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu is a Tamil action thriller directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon. The film starts with a murder in Madurai and leads to shocking crimes in New York. With help from the NYPD, a cop uncovers a dark trail. He also forms a deep bond with Aradhana as she deals with her pain. While everything in the movie keeps the viewers on the edge, its climax leaves the audience stunned. Thambi Year of Release: 2019 Genre: Thriller/action Why It's a Must-watch: If you still haven't seen Karthi and Jyotika share screen space, then don't give Thambi a miss. The story is about Vicky who is brought home to pose as Saravanan, a lost one to a loving family. As secrets unfold, it is revealed that Saravanan died years ago in a tragic accident hidden by the family to protect their honor. It's a must-watch for its thrilling story that keeps viewers hooked until the end. OTT Platform: Netflix/ZEE5/SonyLIV Shaitaan Year of Release: 2024 Genre: Horror/drama Why It's a Must-watch: Not just in the South, but Jyotika has been doing some great films in Bollywood as well. Shaitaan was one of her recent releases and it went on to become a hit at the box office. Jyotika's role in this horror drama alongside actors like Ajay Devgn and R Madhavan was nothing short of a spectacle. If you still haven't watched this movie, then watch it now on OTT. OTT Platform: Netflix Srikanth Year of Release: 2024 Genre: Drama Why It's a Must-watch: Jyotika once again proved that she can play any role with utmost precision on the big screen. Her character in this Hindi biographical film received praise from netizens. Moreover, her strong screen presence alongside Rajkummar Rao took the audience by surprise. The movie tells the story of Srikanth Bolla as he rises against the odds to become one of the greatest Indian entrepreneurs. OTT Platform: Netflix Why these films stand out? All these films stand out because of Jyotika, who played strong female leads with great confidence. Her performances show deep emotions that connect with the audience. The stories often focus on important social issues and send a strong message to the viewers. Also, these movies do well either by earning good money at the box office or getting praise from critics. Jyotika's OTT impact Jyotika's work on OTT platforms is impressive. She chooses strong and meaningful roles. Her performances feel real and connect with viewers. Many praised her acting in web shows like Dabba Cartel and movies like Kaathal– The Core online. OTT helps her reach a bigger and different audience. Fans and new viewers should definitely watch Jyotika's films and shows. Her powerful acting and strong characters make every story special. With her stunning filmography, Jyotika shows why she is one of the best actresses we have today.
