Latest news with #Thala
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Why ‘Chotta Mumbai' still rules as Mohanlal's ultimate commercial entertainer
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Released in 2007, 'Chotta Mumbai' continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Malayalam cinema fans as Mohanlal 's quintessential commercial entertainer. Directed by Anwar Rasheed , this action-comedy gem blends humor, heart, and high-energy performances, with Mohanlal's iconic portrayal of Vasco da Gama (Thala) stealing the show. Mohanlal's comic brilliance and charisma Mohanlal's portrayal of Thala, a lovable rogue leading a gang of petty criminals in Kochi, is a masterclass in comedic timing and effortless charisma. — Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) His ability to switch between slapstick humor, emotional depth, and action-hero swagger makes the character unforgettable, reminiscent of his 80s and 90s classics like Chandralekha. Even in the most emotional moment where Vasco interacts with his father, there is a comical element which is very uncommon in the majority of films. The line where Mohanlal said, 'I failed 10th grade because I was into gusthi (wrestling) during my school days. Who would give a job to someone who failed the 10th? If you have a thattukada (roadside food stall), can I really start another business? Still, I've made dosas and washed dishes here. Maybe Appan has forgotten all this — but I haven't. How should I improve myself now? Tell me, give me some lehyam so I can become better,'— this line, delivered by Mohanlal with a perfect blend of humor and emotion, doesn't reveal the true tone of the film. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Egypt: New Small Electric Car For Seniors. Prices Might Surprise You. Electric Cars | Search Ads Undo 'I have never denied a role' - Sidhique (Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Even though there are several interesting characters in 'Chotta Mumbai', the iconic Mullan Chandrappan stands apart from all of them and all thanks to actor Sidhique, who has a special ability to portray any kind of role. Earlier in an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actor said, 'I have never denied a role. All the characters I have received were good. Once when Jis Joy narrated a story, he also told me about the cast, but upon reaching the set, I was surprised to see one of the cast being replaced. Jis had approached an actor to play the role of a Sub Inspector, however, the actor denied citing that he won't play a cop that has a rank below SP. Since SP is not suitable for the story, Jis Joy had to replace the actor. I was wondering, why that actor would have denied the role, but perhaps it would be the right thing to do according to him. On what criteria, would I tell the makers that I won't do a role? I am the clay, and the image doesn't really matter to me.' He further said, ' I have hardly denied any role, nor did I think, that I have the right to say a story is not good. And the ones I couldn't do were purely because of time constraints. I haven't said no to a character, If I did, it would mean that I don't have what it takes to make it a success. My only effort is to have the opportunity to work with all of them, and make sure to not become the uninvited one.' Nostalgic replay value Nearly two decades after its release, 'Chotta Mumbai' remains a cultural touchstone in Mollywood, with its dialogues and scenes etched into pop culture. Its re-release in theaters has sparked excitement among fans and new audiences alike, with students and cinephiles cheering its return. New Year Special Party Song: Check Out Popular Malayalam Music Audio Song - 'Vascodagama' Sung By Afsal' Featuring Mohanlal The film's repeat watchability is mainly fueled by its vibrant ensemble cast (including Kalabhavan Mani and Jagathy Sreekumar) and Rahul Raj's catchy soundtrack. Who can forget Mohanlal's intro song ' Vasco da gama went to the drama puthu varsham kanaan kavilelumma…' from the movie? Perfect Blend of Humor, Action, and Emotion 'Chotta Mumbai' strikes a rare balance that defines a great commercial entertainer. The film's thin yet engaging storyline, centered on Vasco and his gang's misadventures against a corrupt cop, delivers laugh-out-loud moments, thrilling action, and heartfelt camaraderie. 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 .
Hindustan Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
OTTplay Bails And Banter Chennai vs Gujarat Pre-Match Analysis
Can Chennai finish off this season on a high note? Awaiting Thala magic tonight! OTTplay Presents Bails & Banter Powered by Dafa News! Your ultimate companion for IPL cricket analysis! Join cricket experts as they break down team strategies, dissect key moments, and discuss the perfect playing XI. Catch them LIVE every match day: 2:30 PM for afternoon matches 5:30 PM for evening matches Stay ahead of the game with Bails & Banter! Follow us on Instagram: Credits: Indian Premier League & JioHotstar.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Asli fans MS Dhoni ke hain, baaki sab paid': Harbhajan Singh's shocking statement
NEW DELHI: is more than just a cricketer—he is an emotion for millions of fans across India, particularly in Chennai. Revered as Thala by (CSK) supporters, Dhoni commands an enormous fan following. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Whenever he walks out to bat, the crowd erupts in thunderous applause, and the sea of yellow in the stands becomes a spectacle. The sound decibel often shoots up as fans lose control just to catch a glimpse of their beloved Thala. Whether CSK are playing at home in Chennai or away, Dhoni's presence alone guarantees full stadiums and electrifying atmospheres. His composed nature, exceptional leadership, and unmatched finishing ability have earned him deep respect and unwavering support from fans. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Former India spinner summed up the devotion perfectly when he said, "If any cricketer has real fans, it's Dhoni. The rest are paid." His remark highlights the genuine affection Dhoni commands from his supporters. IPL 2025: The unsung heroes of India's T20 league "Kitna bacha hua hai aur jab tak dum hai khelo bhai. Meri team hoti to shayad main kuch aur decision leta," Harbhajan said on JioStar. "Aur seedhi si baat hai fan to chahenge kyunki unke fan jo hai. Mujhe lagta hai ki sabse zyada fan agar asal wale fan jo hai wo unke hi hai (CSK). Baaki to ye bane banaye hai jo aajkal social media aadha to paid hi chalta hai par ye inke fan jo hai wo asali hai. Inke jo fan hai wo sahi mein fan hai. Baaki yahan wahan jo aap number dekhte ho wo chhodiye number unke upar kabhi baithenge to charcha karenge," he added. "MS Dhoni iss baar dekhein to accha khele hain, theek thaak khele," the former spinner further remarked. Meanwhile, things haven't gone CSK's way over the past two seasons. The five-time IPL champions failed to reach the playoffs in 2024 and endured another underwhelming campaign in IPL 2025 . In fact, they became the first team to be eliminated from playoff contention this season.
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Business Standard
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Will Dhoni play in IPL 2026? Here's what the legend said on his retirement
As the 2025 IPL season winds down, speculation about MS Dhoni's future in the league intensifies. At 43, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) icon remains a pivotal figure, both on and off the field. Despite ongoing discussions about his retirement, Dhoni has not provided a definitive answer, leaving fans and cricket enthusiasts eagerly awaiting his decision. In a recent post-match presentation, Dhoni addressed the retirement rumours, stating, "There is no escaping the fact that I am in the last phase of my career. After this IPL gets over, I have to work hard for another 6–8 months to see if my body can take this pressure." This candid acknowledgment highlights his commitment to assessing his physical readiness before making any decisions about the 2026 season. Dhoni's impact and CSK's performance Dhoni's influence on CSK extends beyond his on-field contributions. His leadership and experience have been instrumental in shaping the team's strategy and mentoring younger players. CSK's performance without him has been notably inconsistent, underscoring his value to the franchise. While he may not continue as captain, with Ruturaj Gaikwad being groomed for the role, Dhoni's presence remains vital. Head coach Stephen Fleming emphasised Dhoni's importance, stating, "He is still going strong. I don't even ask about his future these days." This sentiment reflects the trust and reliance the team places in their veteran player. Also Read Dhoni's bond with fans is unparalleled. Stadiums across India are filled with supporters donning yellow jerseys, eager to witness what could be his final appearances. Acknowledging this, Dhoni remarked, "I'm 42 now. I've been playing for a long time. Many fans don't know if it's the last time they'll see me, so they want to catch these moments." This deep connection adds an emotional layer to his potential retirement, making the decision even more significant. Looking ahead While Dhoni has not confirmed his participation in IPL 2026, his statements suggest a thoughtful evaluation period ahead. He plans to spend the next 6–8 months assessing his physical condition before making a final decision. For now, fans can take solace in the possibility of seeing their beloved "Thala" grace the field once more.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Benny P Nayarambalam on Chotta Mumbai, which is set for re-release:' Rather than heroism, we focused on fun'
Mohanlal's Chotta Mumbai , directed by Anwar Rasheed , has earned a cult classic status since its release in 2007, especially for its humour and presentation. The film took an unconventional path and presented a slightly silly, lazy hero who doesn't work and lands in trouble often. With the film set for a re-release soon, its writer, Benny P Nayarambalam , talks to us about the work that went behind the film, the expectations it had and his thoughts on the kind of content that works for the modern Malayali audience. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor Excerpts: 'It was a new-gen commercial film back then' "Right from the beginning, Chotta Mumbai was to be a Mohanlal project. We planned it as a comedy film from the start even thought it was a time when Mohanlal was in his mass-hero phase with films like Aaram Thampuran and Narasimham. We decided that his role wouldn't be overpowerful, and would be grounded with more fun elements. The main characters were a group of people who were not doing anything even past the age of securing a job. Rather than heroism, we focused on fun! The Fort Kochi region and carnival are very familiar to us, and there are some troublemakers around the region, too. But instead of exploring it at a higher level of crime, we decided to cut down on violence and turned up the entertainment quotient. The film had a story that develops through incidents rather than a deep exploration of emotions. The interpersonal interactions also have underlying humour in them despite the premise being that of a warring son and father and that of a brother and sister. It was a new-generation commercial film at that time." 'Thala' was inspired from Ajith ' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Want Lower Bills Without Changing a Thing? elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo "In the film, Mohanlal's gang has people of different ages and that was intentional because if they were in the same age range, it would have become a bit more serious and the gang would have come across as too strong. The youngsters in the gang can't call the leader by name and we didn't want to use the clichéd names. So, we came up with Thala (head). When his gang calls Mohanlal Thala, it expresses both respect and friendship. And Ajith being called Thala was an inspiration, too. We named Mohanlal's character Vasco da Gama because of the Kochi connect. We named the other characters quirkily, too. For example, Mullan Chandrappan. Mullan, as in spiky, because his hair is spiky, and his name is the local, commonly used Chandrappan." 'Anwar Rasheed came up with the title' "The film's name itself was subject to discussion for a while. Anwar came up with this title. I had some doubts about it as I felt it might give the impression that this would be a serious gangster film. Anwar and I discussed the possibility of over-expectation about the character played by Mohanlal. To handle this, he told me we could use a quirky colourful font and make it look a little funny. It worked. Anwar was always very clear on what needed to be there. If we didn't need something, he'd clearly say so. Still, when the film was released, there were people who weren't very happy with the characterisation. Some had walked in expecting to see another Aaram Thampuran and got disappointed, but the film gained acceptance after that." 'An auto-driving heroine was a representative of the modern woman' "A heroine (played by Bhavana ) who was in love with someone else at the beginning of the story, one who drives an auto — something unconventional at that time — was one of the highlights of the film. She was a representative of the modern woman. How we pace a character from the beginning makes a world of difference in how the audience accepts them. We portrayed characters that were not very serious." 'People still wish for such films filled with humour' We hope the new generation that speaks about the film will watch it again (in theatre) and enjoy it. Many ask us if there will be a second part, and wonder if there will be a film like this one again! There are people who still wish for this sort of film with a lot of humour in it. 'Audiences want different content, not repetitive patterns' "One of the reasons the recent Thudarum worked well is because Mohanlal is portrayed as an ordinary man. There are characters who stand on earth... grounded, rooted. We've lacked those for a while. That drove some families away from cinemas. While some films worked well with youngsters, films that work in a common space — for everyone — didn't happen for a while. Believable, relatable characters and feel are important in any movie. Cinema will keep moving like a flowing river, and there will be shifts, changes, etc... We sh ould always think differently. No matter which type, if we repeat it, it grows boring. Now, many films may follow Thudarum pattern, which will just be redundant, just like how we will get bored if we eat biryani every day." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
