Latest news with #Srikanth
New Indian Express
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Pratik Gandhi, Abhishek Banerjee to come together for Scam 1992 writer's directorial Baaghi Bechare
Sumit, also known for writing the Emmy-nominated series Inside Edge and the biographical drama Srikanth, spoke about attempting a new genre. 'Satire, for me, is a form of catharsis. It helps us confront truths that are too absurd to believe and too real to ignore,' he says. 'Collaborating with so many creative and talented people on this journey gives me hope that we can continue telling stories that are honest and unafraid to reflect the times we live in.'
News18
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Filmdom, Shaken Not Stirred, By Cocaine
If movie stars indulge in drug abuse, then it will have a detrimental effect and adversely affect the attitude and behavioural patterns of teenagers. Drug abuse is a malignant social and health problem that ruins lives, destroys society, and feeds into a cycle of violence and criminal activity. To combat this malaise, cinema can be the most potent weapon in the campaign against drug and substance abuse. Its effectiveness is ingrained in its inherent power to promote change, vibrancy, and gregariousness, and lastly its participatory nature. These four do not work separately, but rather as a combination and in symbiosis. But, if movie stars indulge in drug abuse, then it will have a detrimental effect and adversely affect the attitude and behavioural patterns of teenagers. Youths indulge themselves in drugs and substance abuse for all sorts of reasons. They range from dysfunctional families, peer influence, availability of alcohol and drugs, influence of social media, unemployment and stress, to mention a few. It is worth noting that the youth are at risk of falling into the relentless cycle of drug abuse if a film culture portrays drug abuse as fashionable and cool. The arrest of popular actor Srikanth, known for his work in Tamil and Telugu films, in a drug-related case has uncovered a criminal network that extends far beyond substance abuse and distribution. Tamil actor Krishna has also been detained as he is supposed to have used his political connections and film industry ties to peddle cocaine among celebrities. He allegedly hosted drug-fuelled parties and introduced several clients, including actor Srikanth, to the narcotic substance. These developments have shaken up film industries in South India. The arrests shook Kollywood and brought to light the involvement of former AIADMK executives, drug dealers, and several other actors. Srikanth reportedly confessed to having purchased cocaine more than 40 times, paying up to Rs 4.72 lakh in digital money. He also admitted that he first became addicted to the drug when he was taken to parties. Police say two popular actresses are also involved. With several celebrities across southern cinema facing drug use allegations, the Malayalam film industry has made a 'no-drug affidavit" mandatory on sets. Malayalam actors Shine Tom Chacko and Sreenath Bhasi appeared before the excise team investigating the seizure of hybrid Ganja from a resort at Omanapuzha in Alappuzha. Shine Tom Chacko reportedly confessed to police about widespread abuse of synthetic drugs in the film industry and that several leading actors are involved in it. According to media reports, in the statement to the Police, he stated, 'Only I and one other actor are blamed; there are other major actors who use drugs as well." What began with state award-winning actor Vincy Aloshious's bold revelation has spiralled into a full-blown controversy. The Justice Hema Committee report, too, had flagged substance abuse as a lurking menace within the industry, reinforcing what many suspected but few dared to confront. However, the public glare was more on sleazy details than on drug abuse mentioned in the report. Exactly 10 years after his sensational arrest in a high-profile drug case — Kerala's first cocaine case — actor Shine Tom Chacko finds himself back in the eye of a storm, for his drug consumption. On 15 April 2025, actor Vincy publicly accused a co-actor of inappropriate behaviour and drug use during the shoot of the yet-to-be-released movie 'Soothravakyam'. Though she didn't name him specifically, it later emerged that the actor referred to was Shine. Vincy recalled disturbing incidents on set — from lewd remarks made in front of the crew to the actor spitting a suspicious white powder. The controversy deepened the next day when CCTV footage surfaced showing Shine fleeing a hotel in Ernakulam during a District Anti-Narcotic Special Action Force (DANSAF) raid. Summoned by the police, Shine finally turned up at the police station on 19 April and was arrested after four hours of questioning, though under bailable charges. His past caught up too: in 2015, he was arrested in a cocaine case along with four women models from a Kochi flat but was acquitted in February 2025 after the court cited investigative lapses and the absence of cocaine traces in blood tests. A string of recent incidents paints a disturbing picture: In 2023, actors Shane Nigam and Sreenath Bhasi were banned by the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) and the Kerala Film Producers' Association for unprofessional conduct allegedly linked to substance abuse. Adding to the growing concerns, actor Tini Tom publicly warned in May 2023 about rampant drug use in the industry, citing the deteriorating health of a young actor due to addiction. Substance use, the report revealed, was not just widespread but normalised across all levels of the industry—from actors to technicians. Recently, the Kerala Excise Department arrested three people, including Malayalam film directors Khalid Rahman and Ashraf Hamza, for possession of Hybrid Ganja. To address this problem, the Justice Hema committee recommended a zero-tolerance policy on substance use at workplaces, contractual enforcement, clear signage, increased government surveillance, and awareness campaigns to educate stakeholders. In Karnataka's Sandalwood, at present, actors Sanjjanaa Galrani and Ragini Dwivedi are out on bail on drug-related charges. The Telugu film industry, or Tollywood, has a chequered history with drug abuse, and its failure to address it. Reports of substance abuse in Tollywood have surfaced periodically, with whispers of late-night parties and easy access to narcotics in elite circles. The industry's high-pressure environment, coupled with its wealth and glamour, creates fertile ground for such vices. Tollywood actor Pallapolu Navdeep appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in an alleged drug trafficking case in October 2024. Surprisingly, all is quiet on the Bollywood front. However, in the past, stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Gauri Khan, Mamta Kulkarni, Honey Singh, and many more have been allegedly involved or were accused of substance abuse. Whether a celebrity or a nonentity, both get trapped in drug abuse as a result of attempts to break away from the cycle of family brutality and psychological abuse at home and confront the dangers of drug dealers, addiction, and stigmatization. Meanwhile, along with the rise in drug abuse, other disturbing trends are emerging. Kerala has recorded an over 76 per cent jump in abortion cases over a nine-year period, according to data released by the Health Management Information System (HMIS) portal, in June 2025. The widespread acceptance of live-in relationships could be encouraging the rise in abortions, which could be partly due to indulgence in drug abuse. The Allahabad high court has observed that live-in relations are against the values held by Indian middle-class society. A bench of Justice Siddharth has expressed displeasure at the growing number of such cases reaching the courts. The Allahabad High Court recently observed that live-in relationships have no social sanction. Still, the youth are attracted to such relations, and it is high time that we find some framework and solution to save moral values in society. Hearing two other Public Interest Litigation (PIL) pleas challenging the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) provisions, especially rules on Live-In Relationships, the Uttarakhand High Court orally remarked that the female partner is more vulnerable in such relationships. Youth, especially college and university students, routinely emulate their favourite matinee idols' behaviour in public, in advertisements, and on social media. Their favourite stars smoking cigarettes, consuming alcohol on screen, and enjoying rave parties are giving the youth the impression that the 'pleasure principle' should be the motto of life. This is ruining their careers and getting them into trouble with the law. In Andhra Pradesh alone, over 500 psychologists are being recruited in government schools, to tackle the problem of drug addiction. Research studies have been undertaken in developed countries to theorize the media's influence on young people's attitudes and behaviours, as well as their willingness to engage in risky behaviours. Various theories of 'media effects" have demonstrated the impact of visual media on behaviour, such as sexual activity, anger, action, road rage, and violence. When people see more sexual content on television in movies and entertainment shows, they are more likely to participate in sexual activity with their friends. Television shows create and manipulate a new type of social value system, beliefs, and customs. Younger audiences are more affected by television than older audiences. Television shows generally depict youngsters and adults acting immorally, cheating, killing one another, sobbing, and engaging in sex and often offensive behaviour. They portray a soiled image of adulthood that has erased their innocence and youth. top videos View all Russell Brand sums it aptly, 'A drunk once said to me, 'Drugs and alcohol are not our problem, reality is our problem; drugs and alcohol are our solution to that problem.' Aren't we all, in one way or another, trying to find a solution to the problem of reality? If I get this job, this girl, this guy, these shoes. If I pass this exam, eat this pizza, drink this booze, go on this holiday. Isn't there always some kind of condition to contentment? Isn't it always placed in the future, wrapped up in some object, either physical or ideological?" The writer is Former Director General, Multi-Disciplinary School of Economic Intelligence, and National Academy of Customs, Indirect Taxes & Narcotics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : cocaine drug abuse drugs view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 30, 2025, 11:48 IST News opinion Opinion | Filmdom, Shaken Not Stirred, By Cocaine 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.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Rajkummar Rao opens up about doing multiple films a year while others choose to slow down
At a time when many actors are choosing to slow down and take on fewer projects, Rajkummar Rao has opened up about his decision to stay consistently busy with multiple films. The actor shared that his choices are driven by instinct and a passion for strong scripts, rather than any planned strategy. When asked how he continues to do multiple films in a year, Rao said that there was no set plan behind it. The 'Stree' actor explained that it all happened coincidentally, and his choices are largely based on gut feeling. If he connects with a script and trusts the team behind it, he agrees to take it up. 00:52 Rajkummar Rao opens up about Badhaai Do! Rajkummar told IANS, "I don't know. I think it just happened. I didn't plan it that way, to be honest. It's just a coincidence that it happened. But this year, of course, Bhool Chuk Maaf was released, and now Malik is coming, and there will be Toaster, I guess, this year itself. But apart from that, no, there will be only three films this year. But I don't plan it. I go with my gut feeling if I like a script; if I like the maker and the team attached to that script, then I say yes to it. " "And also, I do one film at a time. That is something I cannot change. I have to finish one film, take a break, and then move on to the next one. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo But yeah, even I plan every year that I am going to do less work. But then I get scripts like Malik or Shrikant, and I say I have to do this. Because we all are greedy as actors, right? We want to work on the best scripts available." When asked whether he plans his year in advance by mentally calculating how much time each project would take, the Srikanth actor explained, "Of course, date-wise, you have to manage that there are only this many dates available in a year. So, you make that calendar mental note that this film is asking for four months or two months. Then I can have a one-month break. Then maybe I can finish this one in three months. So that mental calculation is there." Rajkummar Rao's latest release, "Maalik," has opened to mixed reviews. The film features Rao in the titular role, alongside Prosenjit Chatterjee and Manushi Chhillar . "Maalik" was released on 11 July 2025.
Pink Villa
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Box Office: Maalik takes a low start; Rajkummar Rao starrer opens at Rs 3.25 crore
The Rajkummar Rao-led Maalik has taken a poor start at the box office in India, as early estimates are indicating first-day collections in the range of Rs 3.00 crore to Rs 3.50 crore. The start is lower than the minimal expectations too, and this is because the multiplex audience, which is the core of Rajkummar Rao's filmography, has not come on board the film. A gangster drama is generally a genre driven by stars with mass appeal, and Rajkummar films have conventionally done well in the urban markets. The film has collected Rs 1.80 crore in the top 3 national chains – PVRInox and Cinepolis – which have contributed 55 percent to the total business. The initial reports are not so encouraging, so it would need a miraculous turn of events for Maalik to record a trend of sorts in the long run. Rajkummar Rao films have generally opened in the range of Rs 3.00 crore to Rs 5.00 crore, and Maalik has rightfully fallen in that zone. With this start, if the content is good, films could go the Srikanth route to emerge a success with a lifetime of Rs 50 crore, and a not-so-good content could wrap the run around the Rs 30 crore mark. The trajectory over the next two days will give an idea of the audiences on-ground reports from the mass belts. The film has seen a wide release with 8000-plus shows, and this leaves a lot of ground open to gain over the weekend. Maalik also has competition from Superman and holdover releases like Metro In Dino, Jurassic World, and F1, but they all cater to a different section of the cinema-going audience. From this start, the first weekend of Maalik could fall around the Rs 14 crore mark, which is a low result for an action film with higher costs.
New Indian Express
09-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Conditional bail for actors in drug case in Chennai
CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Tuesday granted bail with conditions to actors Srikanth and Krishna in the drug case registered against them. Justice M Nirmal Kumar passed the orders to grant the relief with conditions to appear in the Nungambakkam police station until further orders. The police arrested Srikanth on June 23 and Krishna on June 26 after registering cases against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The special court for NDPS cases dismissed their applications for bail. Subsequently, they moved the HC for bail. They said they were arrested based on the confession of the main accused, Pradeep Kumar. Srikanth said no amount of contraband was seized from him while Krishna submitted that medical tests did not prove he had used drugs.
