Latest news with #Sangeeth
Time of India
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Extortion TWIST in Balachandra Menon case; Actress Minu Muneer's lawyer arrested
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) The Kochi Cyber Police have arrested Sangeeth Louis, a lawyer and filmmaker from Kollam in the ongoing extortion case involving actor-filmmaker Balachandra Menon . He is accused of attempting to extort money from Balachandra Menon by allegedly threatening to publicize fabricated allegations. Lawyer held in extortion case against veteran actor As reported by Asianet News, the arrest was made from his residence in Ayyanthole, Thrissur. Sangeeth is the second accused in the case, following the earlier arrest of actress Minu Muneer, who was identified as the prime accused. Social media allegations led to legal showdown The controversy erupted in the wake of the Hema Committee report. It was when Minu Muneer took to social media to level serious allegations of sexual misconduct against Balachandra Menon. 'He Kissed Me Forcefully': Actress Minu Muneer's Bold Claims Against Top Malayalam Actors In response, Balachandra Menon filed a police complaint that accused her of making defamatory and obscene remarks. Minu was subsequently arrested and later released on bail by the High Court. However, the investigation continued which lead to Sangeeth's arrest. According to police, both Minu and Sangeeth were working together as part of a planned effort to intimidate and extort Menon. Adding to the twist, Sangeeth Louis is no stranger to controversy. Reportedly, the police revealed that he has been an accused in multiple cases. Sangeeth was even booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA). This happened in the year 2023. Despite these claims, Sangeeth insists his intentions were misunderstood. He told police that he merely informed Balachandra Menon about other actresses who were allegedly ready to testify against him. However, cyber police have reportedly recovered key data from both Sangeeth and Minu's phones that suggest coordinated attempts to extract money from the veteran actor. The extortion attempt dates back to September last year, and with Sangeeth now in custody, the case appears to be moving toward a deeper investigation.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Premalu 2' delayed indefinitely; Dileesh Pothan clears the air - not made on a 3-crore budget
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) 'Premalu', the youthful romantic comedy that hit theatres in early 2024, was a game-changer for Malayalam cinema. What started as a quiet release turned into one of the year's biggest surprise hits. Audiences loved the fresh storytelling and the charming chemistry between Reenu and Sachin. The film quickly gained traction in other language markets as well, especially Tamil and Telugu. Fans began eagerly anticipating the already-announced sequel. 'Premalu was not a 3-crore film' - Dileesh Pothan sets the record straight In a recent interview with The New Indian Express, actor-producer Dileesh Pothan addressed some lingering confusion about Premalu's production budget. 'The film was definitely not made on a 3 crore budget. That's incorrect. The real cost was somewhere between 8 to 10 crores,' he clarified. His revelation comes amid multiple reports downplaying the scale of the film's production, despite its glossy visuals and strong marketing. The team's investment clearly paid off, with the movie going on to enjoy strong box office runs beyond Kerala. Sequel plans stalled for now due to 'Technical Reasons' While fans have been hoping for an update on 'Premalu 2', Dileesh Pothan admitted the wait might be longer than expected. 'It's not coming immediately,' he said, adding that the delay is due to technical reasons. Although he didn't delve into specific issues, his words hint that the sequel requires more groundwork before it can move into production. Premalu | Song - Telangana Bommalu Premalu - A film that you can relate The Mamitha Baiju starrer is surely one of those gems which any genz can relate to. One Twitter user wrote, "Premalu - Lots of humor, romance, and friendship vibes make it a fun watch. Neslan and Sangeeth shine, but Mathew's role falls a bit flat. Overall, it's entertaining and worth a watch." Another one wrote, "#Premalu is a rollercoaster ride of entertainment that you will enjoy thoroughly in a packed theater. Mamitha, Naslen, Sangeeth absolutely nails it and brings so much energy to the screen! It's in the zone of Gireesh AD's previous films, a teen rom-com drama, if you are a fan of it, GO FOR IT. "
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Sangeeth on 20 years of Super Star: Thanks to the 'no social media' era, we didn't even know the reach of the show
Sangeeth, winner of 'Super Star' in 2005, reflects on the show's lasting impact. He cherishes the recognition and the unique format that allowed improvisation, accompanied by Stephen's piano. Sangeeth values his friendship with fellow contestant Job Kurian, emphasizing their supportive camaraderie. He fondly recalls his performances and the mentorship from judges like Bala Bhaskar. Remember that electrifying finale where Job and Sangeeth wowed everyone with their incredible vocal talent? In a thrilling neck-and-neck competition, it was Sangeeth who ultimately clinched the title, earning cheers from music lovers everywhere. Even two decades later, fans still celebrate Super Star and Sangeeth's unforgettable journey. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the singer reflects on the show that transformed his life. "Blessed, that's the word I always use to describe the love I received through Super Star. Even after 20 years, people still recognize me as 'Sangeeth from Super Star,' and that's truly an honour. Winning a place in the hearts of the Malayali audience isn't easy, and I owe it all to the show," he shared. Super Star premiered in 2005, at a time when the reality show format was still relatively new to the Kerala audience. Yet, despite being the first of its kind, it remains one of the best to this day. 'Back then, there was no social media, so we didn't immediately realize the impact the show was having. The only feedback we received came through letters and phone calls to the studio. But soon, we started feeling the buzz, every time we stepped out, people began recognizing us, and it was honestly a shock. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo The reality show format was new not just for the audience, but for us contestants as well. Though I had previously won Gandharvasangeetham, this format was entirely different. I had been singing at Ganamelas since a very young age, so performing live on a TV show wasn't too much of a challenge for me,' he added. However, Sangeeth shared that the experience he gained from Super Star played a crucial role in shaping him as a singer. 'Maybe it was the unique format of the show that made it so popular and timeless. We had just one instrument accompanying us, Stephen's piano. We weren't asked to sing songs exactly as they were; instead, we were given the freedom to improvise and present them like unplugged versions, and this was 20 years ago. The conversations with fellow contestants, the judges, and the entire team, it was all an incredible learning experience,' he recollected. When talking about Sangeeth's victory, there's another name that instantly comes to mind for every Super Star fan — none other than Job Kurian. 'He's a friend for life. We weren't competitors, we were just two friends immersed in music. The whole team felt like a family. Not once did any of us think about 'defeating' the other. We'd go to the floor together, practice together, cheer each other on, and simply enjoy the entire process. Back then, we didn't know much about the world of reality shows or the buzz around it, thanks to the 'no social media' era. Towards the end, it was just Job and me in the competition. Honestly, we tried every song we could, just to keep the show going,' he shared with a smile. Recollecting his most cherished moment on the show, Sangeeth fondly remembered his widely acclaimed rendition of 'Oh Dilruba'. 'Every performance was special. Whether it was 'Oh Dilruba', 'Poi Sollakoodathu Kathali', or 'Koyi Kahe' in the finale, I loved them all. Even the final moment itself was unforgettable. But it wasn't just about the performances—every interaction with the judges was incredibly meaningful. Be it Bala Bhaskar, Deepak Dev , Alphonse, or Stephen Devassy, they were the best mentors we could have ever asked for,' Sangeeth shared. When asked to share one piece of advice for young singers, Sangeeth emphasized the importance of first understanding the feel of the song. 'People often say I sing difficult songs with such ease. But it's never really easy, I simply do my best to capture and convey the true feel of the song. We can never sing exactly like KJ Yesudas or KS Chithra, but the least we can do is try to present the emotion and essence they brought to the music,' says the much-loved singer. Though Sangeeth recently made a striking comeback with the re-release of Chotta Mumbai and his song 'Nombaram Kalayum Naalam Nee' was celebrated once again, viewers still find themselves asking him, 'Where are you?' 'Well, I haven't gone anywhere, I'm doing very well here. I'm settled in Kochi, balancing playback singing, stage shows, and independent music. The last song I sang was for the movie Alappuzha Gymkhana. I'm not very active on social media, and maybe that's why people feel like they miss me. But I take that as a blessing, after 20 years, they still remember me and look for updates. That, in itself, is a true blessing,' he concluded.
Hans India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Nayan Sarika onboard for Sangeeth Shobhan, Niharika Konidela's next
Following the blockbuster success of Committee Kurrollu, which also clinched two Telangana Gaddar Film Awards, Niharika Konidela is back in action as a producer. Her banner, Pink Elephant Pictures, has officially launched its second production—an exciting new project starring youth sensation Sangeeth Shobhan, who recently shot to fame with MAD and MAD Square. Directed by the supremely talented Manasa Sharma, the film brings together a promising team of fresh and familiar faces. The newest addition to the cast is actress Nayan Sarika, who will be seen opposite Sangeeth in the female lead role. Nayan, who was introduced to Telugu audiences by Pink Elephant Pictures through Hello World (ZEE5) and Bench Life (Sony LIV), has been steadily building her career with impactful roles in films like Aay and Ka. Her reunion with Niharika, Manasa, and Sangeeth marks a continuation of her successful collaborations with the banner. This project also reunites the trio of Niharika, Sangeeth, and Manasa, who earlier delivered the well-received web series Oka Chinna Family Story for ZEE5. Additionally, Niharika, Manasa, and Nayan previously collaborated on Bench Life. The film boasts a stellar supporting cast including Vennela Kishore, Brahmaji, Tanikella Bharani, Ashish Vidyarthi, Getup Srinu, Sukwinder Singh, and Aruna Bhikshu, promising a rich blend of comedy, drama, and heartwarming moments. Mahesh Uppala is co-writing the screenplay and dialogues alongside Manasa Sharma, while Anudeep Dev is handling music composition. Manyam Ramesh is serving as executive producer, with Naidu Surendra Kumar and Phani Kandukuri managing PR, and Ticket Factory overseeing marketing.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
OTT gave me my break, but it was the big screen that made people remember me: Sangeeth Shobhan
From his early days as a child artiste in Golconda High School to earning acclaim with projects like Pitta Kathalu and Oka Chinna Family Story, Sangeeth Shobhan has steadily built a career grounded in relatability and charm. The son of Varsham director, late Sobhan and younger brother of actor Santosh Shobhan, Sangeeth further cemented his appeal among younger audiences with the coming-of-age comedy drama Mad and its recent sequel Mad Square. In a candid chat, the actor talks about why direction isn't for him, the importance of connecting with his directors, and how the shift from OTT to theatres changed the way audiences see the past few years, Sangeeth has put together a diverse body of work — from playing the sincere Sunny in Oka Chinna Family Story to appearing in the Telugu adaptation of The Baker and the Beauty and the web film Prema Vimanam. But it was Mad, with its irreverent humour and college-campus energy, that marked his breakout. Sangeeth, who is now stepping into lead roles, says he's not chasing stardom. 'Right now, I'm focused on building credibility and choosing content that feels honest and relatable. I want the audience to see a bit of themselves in my characters. I want them to remember me as the 'guy next door' and once that connection is built, I'll be ready to explore more varied roles.'While acting has clearly become his path, there was a time when he considered going behind the camera. During college, Sangeeth got the chance to work as an assistant director on Mahesh Babu's Maharshi, an experience that gave him a new perspective on the filmmaking process. 'That experience made me realise just how tough direction really is and that filmmaking is not for me. I love acting, and it has made me appreciate how much directors and their teams do behind the scenes. They work tirelessly, are often underappreciated, and are paid very little. Acting might feel easier when you see the kind of effort and patience the direction team puts in, and that's something I truly admire.'An actor's job is to quickly adapt to a character and just as easily detach from it. You don't need to lock yourself away or live like the character for weeks. That's not acting, that's becoming someone else. That's why I've never believed in method respect for directors also shapes how he engages with stories. For Sangeeth, it's not just the script that matters; it's how it's told, and who's telling it. 'Some stories hit differently when you hear them. When Kalyan Shankar narrated Mad, I was laughing from the first scene. The way he delivered it, full of energy and clarity, helped me connect with the tone instantly. That's when I know I want to do a film: when the storyteller pulls me in. A strong connection with the director makes all the difference,' he now, I'm focused on choosing content that feels honest and relatable. I want the audience to see a bit of themselves in my characters and once that connection is built, I'll be ready to explore varied OTT gave Sangeeth his start, it was the theatrical releases that changed how audiences perceived him. 'As a performer, I don't find much difference between OTT and theatre, but the audience reception is significantly different. No matter how much OTT content we consume, audiences still go to theatres to see someone on the big screen, and that makes those characters larger than life. After Mad 2 released, I noticed people recognising us, saying, 'Oh my God, that's the guy from Mad!' They started seeing us as larger-than-life figures because they had experienced us on the big screen. That was a big realisation for me.'
