Latest news with #Retro
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Naga Vamsi asks why Vijay Deverakonda is being targeted for everything he says: ‘He's already down because his films aren't working'
Fans eagerly await the release of Vijay Deverakonda 's 'Kingdom' after the actor faced a series of setbacks with his films over the past few years. His last release, Family Star, received negative reviews on social media, and the actor's team claimed that a targeted negativity campaign affected the film's success. Producer Naga Vamsi has now stepped forward in defence of Deverakonda amid the growing criticism surrounding him. Naga Vamsi defends Vijay Deverakonda amid backlash over controversial remarks In a conversation with Gulte, Vamsi expressed concern over what he believes is a deliberate attempt to target Vijay Deverakonda. The producer remarked that the public perception of Vijay starkly contrasts with the person he knows personally. 'I don't even know why Vijay is being targeted. He's already down because his films aren't working,' Vamsi said. Rashmika Mandanna Cheers for Vijay Deverakonda as he Drops 'Kingdom' Teaser The controversy Vamsi refers to centres around comments made by Vijay during the pre-release event of Suriya's recent film Retro. The actor's remarks comparing Adivasis to terrorists resulted in legal trouble under the SC/ST Act. Vamsi says public perception of Vijay is far from reality Vamsi did not shy away from acknowledging that Vijay has been outspoken in the past but insisted that this has led to unfair judgement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'I agree he used to say something or the other when he was younger. He's the most misunderstood person. You meet him off camera, you'll wonder if it's the same person embroiled in controversy,' he shared. He further expressed disappointment over the lack of empathy shown towards the Arjun Reddy actor and questioned why there is always a need to criticise him for everything. Vijay Deverakonda's upcoming movies On the work front, Deverakonda is gearing up for the release of Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri . The action-packed spy drama stars Satyadev and Bhagyashri Borse in key roles. Music for the film is composed by Anirudh Ravichander , and it is set to hit screens on July 31.
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Irish Examiner
Save or Splurge? We take a seat in two striking armchairs
SAVE The bright and beautiful pink Retro chair upholstered in plush velvet has the hallmarks of mid-century design influences with angled arms and legs and double button detail; €449, DFS. SPLURGE Sloping arms give character to the Rust velvet armchair and extra comfort for reading and chats, its simple design making it an option for modern and period interiors; €850, Oriana B.
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
Pooja Hegde shines in ‘Monica' from 'Coolie,' song hits 10 million views
The second single from Rajinikanth-starrer Coolie, titled 'Monica,' was dropped this weekend, and the song features Pooja Hegde. She is seen raising the temperature with her addictive dance steps and fiery energy. Ahead of the film's big release, the song has resonated well with the audience for its foot-tapping music and peppy dance moves. The song has taken the internet by storm and has already garnered over 10 million views on proving her mettle in acting, Pooja Hegde has established herself as a leading pan-Indian actress in the Indian film industry. And she continues to enthral audiences with her charm and electrifying screen presence. Apart from acting, dance numbers have also become a crucial part of Pooja's than just a catchy track, 'Monica' is also a tribute to the iconic Italian actress and model Monica Bellucci. Titled after her first name, the song showcases Pooja taking over the screen with her addictive dance steps and spot-on previous Tamil song, 'Arabic Kuthu,' alongside Thalapathy Vijay, became a mega hit and continues to be one of the most viewed songs in recent times. Pooja, last seen in Retro opposite Suriya, is having a rocking 2025 as she gears up for Rajinikanth's starrer special appearance with the song 'Monica' is touted to be one of the most anticipated appearances of the diva. Earlier, she made waves with the song 'Kanimaa' from Retro that topped the chart for several song's massive popularity on Instagram Reels and its nearly 100 million YouTube views are proof of Pooja's widespread appeal. Pooja Hegde's fans are praising her charm and electrifying screen presence in the song. Now, 'Monica' has taken that momentum even reels of the song 'Monica' are already making waves on social starring Rajinikanth, Aamir Khan, Nagarjuna, and others is gearing up for their biggest release yet. Helmed by Lokesh Kanagaraj, the movie is backed by Kalanithi Maran under the banner Sun Pictures. The film is all set to hit theatres on 14th August, 2025.
Scoop
2 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Appointments To The Broadcasting Standards Authority
Karyn Fenton-Ellis has been appointed to the Board of the Broadcasting Standards Authority and current member John Gillespie has been reappointed. The Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) is an independent Crown entity that receives and determines complaints from people dissatisfied with the outcome of complaints made to broadcasters about the standards on television and radio. The BSA also encourages the development and observance by broadcasters of codes of broadcasting practice appropriate to the type of broadcasting undertaken by them. "These appointments ensure a well-balanced board with an appropriate mix of skills and experience. The appointments are made by the Governor-General on the advice of the Minister for Media and Communications, Hon Paul Goldsmith," says Secretary for Culture and Heritage, Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae. "Karyn Fenton-Ellis, of Waikato, has had a 26-year broadcasting career, with a particular focus on the racing industry. She received the NZTR Media Award in 2012 and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the community, the arts, and to racing. Ms Fenton-Ellis has been appointed as the public interest member on the Board. "Ms Fenton-Ellis provides strengths in strategic awareness and a high-level understanding of key stakeholder communications. She has a good understanding of Crown governance and has good knowledge of the sector and the role of the BSA. "John Gillespie of Auckland is a communications professional with 30 years of sector experience and a considerable career in executive leadership. He was the Head of News and Current Affairs at TVNZ from 2013 to 2020. Mr Gillespie holds the 'broadcasting industry' position on the board. "We would like to acknowledge and thank departing board member Pulotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa'i for her contribution to the BSA. Tupe has been on the board since December 2021", Leauanae says The appointment for Ms Fenton-Ellis is until 31 May 2028 and Mr Gillespie's appointment is until 31 May 2029. Bios Karyn Fenton-Ellis Karyn Fenton-Ellis of Waikato is a licensed syndicator with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing. She was one of the inaugural presenters for both TAB Trackside Television and TAB Trackside Radio. Ms Fenton-Ellis hosted the Retro, Weigh-In and First Call programmes, as well as being a studio presenter in a broadcasting career stretching 26 years. She co-hosted the Karaka Premier Sale television coverage for 10 years and was MC for the Horse of the Year Awards on many occasions. She was presented with the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) Media Award in 2012 and was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2014 for services to the community, the Arts, and to racing. Ms Fenton-Ellis is a former World Chairman and President of Junior Chamber of Commerce International, former member of the Arts Council, trustee of the New Zealand Arts Foundation, and board member of the Christchurch Arts Festival. She won the World Public Speaking Contest in 1989 and was also the recipient of a rare Trinity College of London Exhibition Award. John Gillespie John Gillespie of Auckland is a communications professional with 30 years sector experience and a considerable career in executive leadership. He was the Head of News and Current Affairs at TVNZ from 2013 to 2020 and also held roles as the Executive Producer of Fair Go and Head of News for Canterbury Television. Mr Gillespie has extensive knowledge of the broadcasting sector with a particular focus on news and current affairs. He has knowledge of the BSA and media law, and is committed to listening, learning and leading with courage, tenacity and a deep sense of values. Mr Gillespie holds the 'broadcasting industry' position on the board.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ajith Kumar's twin releases, Suriya's Retro, Kamal Haasan's Thug Life: Analysing Kollywood's box office run in 2025 so far
Kollywood began this year with several releases from new directors, featuring a young cast and crew. Films like Bioscope by Sankagiri Rajkumar, Seesaw by Guna Subramaniam, and Madraskaaran by Vaali Mohan Das kicked off 2025 in a much more relaxed manner. Although these films were noted for their content and talented cast, fans had to wait until February 2025 for the year's first big-star release – Vidaamuyarchi, starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan . One of the most anticipated films, Retro featuring Suriya , failed to perform well at the box office and did not leave a strong impression on either fans or critics. As 2025 has now reached its halfway point, some highly awaited releases from Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi, and Dhanush are still in the pipeline. Ajith Kumar's Good Bad Ugly, which released in April, has so far dominated the Kollywood box office in 2025. The film became the highest-grossing Tamil release of the year, with global earnings of Rs 246.8 crore. None of the subsequent releases, including Dhanush's Kuberaa, managed to surpass this record. With a few major star films lined up for release, let's take a closer look at Kollywood's box office performance from January to July 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Affordable Auto Insurance: Discover Quality Coverage At Great Prices Top Answers Learn More Undo Vidaamuyarchi Starring Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan in key roles, Vidaamuyarchi hit cinemas on 6 February and earned Rs 135.65 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk. Directed by Magizh Thirumeni, the film was inspired by the 1997 American movie Breakdown. It also featured Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in pivotal roles. Originally slated for a Pongal release in January, the film was postponed to February, ultimately becoming the highest-grossing Tamil film in early 2025. However, it did not receive the typically euphoric response Ajith's films usually garner. Had the storyline resonated more with fans, its box office numbers could have been even higher. Dragon Ashwath Marimuthu's Dragon, starring young actor Pradeep Ranganathan, surpassed Vidaamuyarchi by grossing Rs 151.83 crore worldwide. The film delivered a light-hearted yet emotional cinematic experience. The cast included Anupama Parameswaran, Kayadu Lohar, Mysskin, Gautham Vasudev Menon, K. S. Ravikumar, and George Maryan. Following the film's success, Pradeep expressed gratitude to fans and the Telugu audience for their support. He also revealed that director Ashwath Marimuthu aimed for Dragon to be a widely accepted work of art rather than a typical blockbuster. Retro Suriya's high-budget pan-Indian film Kanguva, alongside Bobby Deol, failed to make an impact in 2024. His next venture, Retro, directed by Karthik Subbaraj , was highly anticipated due to Karthik's unique and realistic storytelling, promising a strong comeback for Suriya. Despite the buzz, the gangster drama failed to meet expectations and managed only Rs 97.35 crore at the worldwide box office. Karthik Subbaraj later admitted that the film became a target of negative campaigns on social media. In an interview with Galatta, he expressed confusion over the hate, especially since those who watched and liked the film were unsure about the backlash. In another interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, he explained that while Retro reflected his signature style, the pressure of working with a big star and budget affected the film. He has since announced an upcoming indie project without a major star. Meanwhile, Suriya fans eagerly await his collaborations with RJ Balaji and Venky Atluri. Good Bad Ugly Ajith Kumar transformed the Kollywood box office with Good Bad Ugly, directed by Adhik Ravichandran. As of now, it is the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2025, collecting Rs 246.8 crore globally. The film featured an ensemble cast, including Trisha Krishnan, Arjun Das, Sunil, Prabhu, Prasanna, Karthikeya Dev, Priya Prakash Varrier, Jackie Shroff, Shine Tom Chacko, Tinnu Anand, B. S. Avinash, and Raghu Ram. The film was embraced by fans, partly due to the makers incorporating iconic moments from Ajith's filmography. The story revolved around a retired gangster and gained attention for the recreation of the iconic Sulthana song featuring Priya Prakash Varrier and Arjun Das. Thug Life Mani Ratnam's Thug Life generated significant pre-release buzz, reuniting him with Kamal Haasan after 38 years since Nayakan. However, the film failed to match expectations or outdo Good Bad Ugly, collecting only Rs 97.44 crore worldwide. The cast included Silambarasan, Trisha Krishnan, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Abhirami, Ashok Selvan, Joju George, Nassar, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ali Fazal, Sanjana Krishnamoorthy, and Tanikella Bharani. A major setback came after Kamal Haasan's controversial comments about the Kannada language led to a ban in Karnataka. The actor did not apologise, and the film consequently lost revenue in Kannada-speaking regions. Kuberaa Sekhar Kammula's Kuberaa, starring Dhanush, Rashmika Mandanna, and Nagarjuna Akkineni, grossed Rs 133 crore worldwide. The multi-starrer received favourable reviews from both fans and critics. However, it earned only Rs 87.22 crore domestically, falling short of the Rs 100 crore mark in India. The film was praised for its realistic yet commercial storytelling. Rashmika received acclaim for taking on a different and nuanced role compared to her previous performances. Tourist Family Tourist Family, the debut directorial venture of Abishan Jeevinth, starred M. Sasikumar, Simran, Mithun Jai Sankar, and Kamalesh Jagan in lead roles, with Yogi Babu, Ramesh Thilak, M. S. Bhaskar, Elango Kumaravel, Sreeja Ravi, and Bagavathi Perumal in supporting roles. The film received rave reviews from fans and social media users. Filmmakers like S. S. Rajamouli publicly praised it, and the movie gained further traction following its OTT release. With its emotionally rich narrative centred on a Sri Lankan Tamil family fleeing the economic crisis and arriving in India in search of a better life, Tourist Family earned Rs 87.23 crore globally. Veera Dheera Sooran : Part 2 Directed by S. U. Arun Kumar, Veera Dheera Sooran: Part 2 featured Vikram in the titular role, along with S. J. Suryah, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Dushara Vijayan, and Prudhvi Raj. The film received positive reviews and grossed around Rs 65.36 crore at the box office. Madha Gaja Raja Thug Life - Official Hindi Trailer Sundar C's Madha Gaja Raja, starring Vishal in the lead role, along with Santhanam, Anjali, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Sonu Sood, Manivannan, Subbaraju, Nithin Sathya, Sadagoppan Ramesh, Munna Simon, and John Kokken, grossed Rs 63 crore worldwide. Maaman The family drama Maaman, directed by Prasanth Pandiyaraj, featured Soori in the lead, alongside Rajkiran, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Swasika, Bala Saravanan, Baba Bhaskar, Viji Chandrasekhar, Nikhila Sankar, and Geetha Kailasam. The film was lauded for its realistic storytelling and earned approximately Rs 35 crore at the box office.
