Latest news with #Shobana
Indian Express
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Shobana mourns the loss of her beloved childhood friend Anita Menon; shares their old photos: ‘Farewell kiddo'
Renowned dancer-choreographer and National Award-winning actor Shobana's childhood friend Anita Menon has passed away. She breathed her last in the early hours of Tuesday. Taking to social media, Shobana penned an emotional note in memory of her dear friend and shared a few pictures from their childhood. She also expressed her deepest condolences to Anita's bereaved family. 'Farewell kiddo. My dear friend. Rest in peace. No more words. My heartfelt condolences to Babu Uncle and Sue Aunty, Satish Menon, Aveesha and Anisha (sic),' the Thudarum actor wrote on Instagram. While one of the black-and-white pictures showed the actor posing with a beaming Anita, another photo, seemingly from their even younger days, featured Anita happily resting her head on Shobana's shoulder as the latter relished a banana. According to Manorama Online, Anita and her family were Shobana's neighbours during her childhood days in Mylapore, Chennai. Although Anita was younger, Shobana shared a close camaraderie with her, which must have been strengthened by their mutual love for dance. Anita was, according to her official website, the recipient of the prestigious Performing Arts Fellowship in 2014 from the US' Regional Arts and Culture Council. She was the founder of Anjali School of Dance, established to 'provide training in Bharatanatyam to students in the greater Portland area' as well. She also directed theatrical productions that were adaptations of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream and Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile. 'Her productions were known for their big dance numbers using several styles of dance, including Indian folk, ballet, hip hop, jazz and Bollywood,' the note on the website read. A post shared by Shobana Chandrakumar (@shobana_danseuse) Known for her powerful performances, Shobana has won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice and ranks among one of the finest actors in the country. Besides her home ground of Malayalam cinema, she has also worked in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films, leaving a lasting impression in every industry she entered. After a five-year hiatus, she returned to the silver screen playing a key role in director Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD, featuring Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan. Shobana was most recently seen in Tharun Moorthy's Thudarum, where she shared the screen with Mohanlal, marking the return of one of Malayalam cinema's most beloved on-screen couples.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shobana mourns loss of childhood friend Anitha Menon: 'I have no more words'
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Actress and classical dancer Shobana is grieving the heartbreaking loss of her childhood friend, Anitha Menon. Taking to social media, Shobana penned an emotional tribute that read, 'Farewell kiddo. My dear friend. Rest in peace. No more words. My heartfelt condolences to Babu Uncle and Sue Aunty, Satish Menon, Aveesha and Anisha. ' Alongside her heartfelt message, the actress shared touching throwback photos of herself and Anitha from their childhood days, offering a glimpse into a long and cherished friendship. The forever bond Reported by On Manorama, Anitha Menon and her family were once Shobana's neighbours in Mylapore, Chennai, during her early years. Though Anitha was three years younger, the age gap never stood in the way of their bond. Even as Shobana rose to stardom, she remained close to Anitha, spending time with her whenever possible. Netizens share condolence messages Shobana's post was soon flooded with messages from fans. One wrote, 'take care. ' Another one wrote, 'my guru :( rest in peace anita aunty.' A third one commented, 'Oh! That's sad. I know her. Close to my place. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Can't go today as I am struggling in similar situation. She was a fighter My deepest condolences to you and family.' Work front Thudarum - Official Trailer Shobana made a comeback to Malayalam cinema in a key role opposite Mohanlal in the recent commercial success 'Thudarum', where she played his character's wife. The film marked a reunion of one of the most iconic onscreen pairs of the 1990s—Mohanlal and Shobana, whose chemistry once defined an era of Malayalam cinema. The movie, directed by Tharun Moorthy, received magnificent reviews from the audience and turned out to be a blockbuster. Along with Mohanlal and Shobana's performances, the audience is also lauding Prakash Varma's portrayal of antagonist George Sir in the movie. Shobana earlier made a major comeback in the Suresh Gopi starrer 'Varane Avashyamund'. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Pink Villa
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Thudarum OTT Verdict, Box Office: Here's how Mohanlal's crime thriller film is performing after its digital debut
Thudarum, starring Mohanlal and Shobana, made its digital debut today, May 30. The Malayalam crime thriller is now streaming on JioHotstar, and fans are already enjoying it on the small screen. If you're planning to watch it on OTT, check out what viewers are saying first. What do netizens have to say about Thudarum? Viewers were left speechless after watching Thudarum, with many saying few actors can consistently portray such emotional depth. Rather than dissecting the film's strengths or flaws, fans poured out heartfelt gratitude to the entire team. Mohanlal, in particular, earned high praise—netizens called him 'irreplaceable' and 'timeless.' Audiences were equally excited to see Shobana reunite on screen with the legendary actor. For many, Thudarum stood out as Mohanlal's finest performance since Drishyam 2. While some initially expected it to be a solo act, Prakash Varma's compelling role came as a welcome surprise. 'Talking about Thudarum without praising director Tharun Moorthy should be a crime. The script may not be groundbreaking—it's a familiar tale of a family man fighting injustice. But the way Tharun Moorthy presents Mohanlal makes the movie truly engaging,' wrote one user on X. Thudarum's box office performance The Mohanlal starrer has had a stellar 32-day run at the box office. As per Sacnilk, the film has raked in Rs 120.17 crore net in India, with a gross domestic total of Rs 139.50 crore. Overseas, it has collected Rs 93.50 crore, taking its worldwide gross to an impressive Rs 233 crore. About Thudarum Thudarum follows the life of Shanmugham, affectionately known as Benz, a former stuntman who now works as a taxi driver. He left the film industry after a tragic accident took the life of his close friend. His peaceful life takes a turn when his car becomes unknowingly linked to a drug smuggling case and gets seized. Mohanlal stars as Shanmugham, with Shobana playing his wife. Thomas Mathew and Amritha Varshini appear as their children. Prakash Varma takes on the role of the corrupt CI George Mathan, while Binu Pappu plays SI Benny C. Kurian.
Buzz Feed
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
13 Must-Watch Malayalam Movies On OTT
Of late, Malayalam films have been slaying at the Box Office, from Aavesham to Manjummel Boys surpassing Hindi films by a mile. But there's one hill I'm willing to die on: no one does thrillers better than Malayalam cinema. From psychological thrillers to survival thrillers and straight up horror, there's a barrage of films from the past few years that prove just how brilliant Malayalam films are. If you're new to the regional wave, let me take you in: here are some mind-blowing Malayalam thrillers and horrors you need to watch, like, yesterday: Thudarum (2025) Where to watch: JioHotstarAfter its recent massive success in the theatres, this Mohanlal and Shobana starrer has proven yet again the potential of Malayalam cinema. The story: a taxi driver's life takes a dramatic turn when his beloved Ambassador car is seized under mysterious circumstances, which leads to a quest for justice that will make you sit at the edge of your seat the entire time. If thrillers are your jam, don't skip this one. Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) Where to watch: JioHotstarIdk what to tell you, but Malayalam cinema does thrillers really well. With mighty critical acclaim for its production, Kishkindha Kaandam is a gripping story around a monkey-inhabited village, where disturbances prompt a newly-wed couple to investigate its root cause. Watch if you're into well-crafted mystery thrillers. Sookshmadarshini (2024) Where to watch: JioHotstarStarring the effervescent Nazriya Nazim, Sookshmadarshini is the story of a curious homemaker who suspects that her new neighbour is more private than normal. Her gut feeling gets the best of her—which spirals into a suspenseful game of cat and mouse. Rekhachithram (2024) Where to watch: SonyLIVAfter a suspension due to a gambling scandal, Inspector Vivek Gopinath returns to duty, seeking redemption by unraveling a 40-year-old murder case involving a faceless victim. His investigation leads him into the Malayalam film industry's past, uncovering secrets that intertwine cinema and crime. Bramagyugam (2024) Where to watch: SonyLIVMade entirely in black-and-white, this Mammooty starrer is a nod to Kerala's folklore. The story revolves around a runaway folk singer in 17th-century Malabar, who stumbles upon a haunted mansion. From there on, a game of deception and dark magic takes place. Watch for its beautiful cinematography, production design, and, of course, one of the best stars Malayalam cinema has to offer. Did the poster scare you? Yeah, you should definitely watch this one. Romancham (2023) Where to watch: JioHotstarSet in 2007 Bengaluru, 7 carefree bachelors experiment with a Ouija board, and end up inviting a spirit into their lives—leading to a series of hilarious and spooky events that test their friendship and sanity. Watching Soubin Shahir doing what he does best has never been a bad idea. Bhoothakaalam (2022) Where to watch: Amazon Prime VideoWith power-packed performances by Revathy and Shane Nigam, Bhoothakalaam is a fantastic horror film. The story: a grieving mother and her troubled son begin to experience terrifying events in their old house—blurring the line between mental illness and something far more sinister. Joji (2021) Where to watch: Amazon Prime VideoIf you're interested in renditions of Shakespeare's works, Joji is the film to watch. Inspired by Macbeth, Joji reolves around a man belonging to a wealthy family who sees a shot at power, and plots a twisted plan to get there. The story unfolds into a dark, witty tale of ambition and guilt. And need I say, Fahadh Faasil? Nayattu (2021) Where to watch: NetflixStarring three of the finest actors in Malayalam cinema, Nayattu is a story of 3 police officers who become fugitives after an accident entangles them in a political mess, forcing them to confront the system they are part of. Trance (2020) Where to watch: Prime VideoA psychological thriller featuring the GOAT Fahadh Faasil, Trance revolves around a struggling motivational speaker who gets taken under the wing of corporate masterminds and turned into a flamboyant pastor. The film explores mental health, religious exploitation, and the commercialization of spirituality. Watch it specifically for the brilliance that is Fahadh Faasil's performance. Moothon (2019) Where to watch: Zee5This film is heartbreak in a package. The story: A young boy from Lakshadweep embarks on a journey to Mumbai in search of his missing elder brother, and ends up in confronting the harsh realities of the city's underworld. Starring the ever-so-flawless Nivin Pauly in arguably his best avatar, this film is beautiful, tragic, and well-made. Not to mention: it premiered at prestigious film festivals around the world, and brought back SEVERAL accolades. Jalikattu (2019) Where to watch: NetflixMalayalam cinema cannot get better than this. The story: when a buffalo escapes from a slaughterhouse in a remote Kerala village, the hunt by the townspeople spirals into chaos, revealing the primal instincts lurking beneath their otherwise civilized upbringing. Special Mention: Manjummel Boys (2024) Where to watch: JioHotstarOne of the most successful films of 2024, missing this film is not an option. The story revolves around a group of friends who embark on a vacation to Kodaikanal, where an impromptu visit to the infamous Guna Caves turns into a nightmare when one of them falls into a pit. All you thriller and horror fans—you're absolutely welcome. There's no going back now!
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Padma Vibhushan for Justice Khehar; Posthumous honor for Bibek Debroy & Sharda Sinha
Justice Khehar, dancer Shobana, actor Anant Nag, and musician Ricky Kej are among 68 honored with the Padma Awards 2025 by President Murmu. This year's list includes icons and unsung heroes—like folk legend Sharda Sinha (posthumously) and social worker Ritambhara—celebrating India's diverse talent.► Subscribe to ET Digital for the latest video updates. It's free! Show more Show less
