Director Shankar blames Producer for Game Changer flop- Rakesh Roshan says South stuck in safe formula

Director Shankar has said that Game Changer that was out was what was left out of the 5 hours of footage that he kept for trimming. He was indirectly implying that he was not satisfied with the footage was chosen. Only two persons can choose the footage and that is the Editor and Director. From Shankar’s outburst, it looks like apart him , the other person who can interfere is the Producer. Shankar seems to be blaming Dil Raju the film producer From Producer point of view is that the film has shot two times the budget and final product was way behind and to top it, a song costing crores had not gone on air We will have to wait for Raju’s reaction . As per trade, film box office is moving towards a disaster. The plight of Indian 3 is pitiable as the market is not going to touch it after Game Changer box office disaster outing. Who will fund Shankar’s next film Velpari ?

As we wait for Rakesh- Hrithik Roshan docu on NetFlix we have something for you -In a recent interview with Zoom, Roshan pointed out that South cinema sticks to traditional formulas. He said it relies heavily on the usual mix of song, action, and dramatic dialogue. “They’re not progressing. Technically, they are, but storytelling-wise, they’re doing the same formulas that work. They’re successful because they’re not breaking any path,” he explained. Roshan believes that while South films may be advancing technically, they are not innovating in their storytelling. On the other hand, he feels that Bollywood is “breaking paths.” He used his own career as an example, explaining how he chose to take a different route after the success of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Instead of making another romantic film, he made Koi Mil Gaya, which introduced a superhero character played by his son, Hrithik Roshan. “These are the challenges we took. They don’t take them. They play on safe grounds,” Roshan said. Filmmaker Reveals He Was Shot By Gun After KNPH Release Rakesh Roshan is currently enjoying the success of Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai‘s re-release, which hit theatres on January 10. The 2000 film, which marked Hrithik Roshan‘s debut, has become a cult classic, loved by fans for its memorable music and story. But Roshan’s journey hasn’t always been smooth. In another interview with Bollywood Hungama, he revealed a shocking experience. Shortly after Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai‘s release, he was shot in broad daylight while leaving his office in Mumbai. He was hit by two bullets but managed to drive himself to the hospital and recover. Roshan later discovered that underworld figures had wanted Hrithik to star in a film backed by them. When Roshan refused their offer, saying Hrithik was unavailable, the violent attack occurred. “I never gave any indication that Hrithik could do a film for them,” he said, explaining the reason behind the attack.

Sivakarthikeyan on Aamir Khan offer / Game Changer Tamil weak response

Sivakarthikeyan who entered the elite 4 club of Kollywood has revealed that his Bollywood debut will be with Aamir Khan and his banner. Speaking to a portal, he said that - “He (Aamir) mentioned that whenever I decide to step into Hindi films, it would be under his production banner. He also encouraged me to share any script ideas I have.”. SK is now working with A R Murgadoss who is directing Salman Khan in the film titled Sikandar. Now he has also started working in Sudha Kongara film. In between he has a film BOSS directed by Cibi Chakravarthy. Already Vijay Sethupathi has worked in Bollywood.

Game Changer Tamil print is having a weak response in USA. Only five Tamil version shows have opened in USA and rest is Telugu – Hindi. In the State, itself the distributors feel that audience response is cool and there is no buzz that is usually connected with a Shankar film. Though the cancellation of Chennai event is seen as result of Lyca v/s Shankar dispute, the reason seems to be poor response in Tamil Nadu. Shankar and Lyca has arrived at a agreement and it will be conveyed to High Court tomorrow. Tamil market is important for a Telugu film to reach the blockbuster and so also in Hindi, the media event of GC in Mumbai was a low affair. Shankar with 2.0 made a nig splash in Bollywood and in South language industries. His other films draw has been limited to Tamil and with GV, he has the chance to make a presence in two Telugu States. However, his brand is now not a draw in his home State. Rockfort Murugadoss has bought the film for Rs 25 crores.

Thalapathy Vijay scares Bollywood - Marco answer to Blue Sattai Maran - Samudrakanni lucky charm

 

The remake rights of Baby John was bought from Tamil film Producer Thanu for Rs 10 crores and the Tamil film Their starred Thalapathy Vijay with Samantha in the lead and directed by Atlee of Jawan fame. Baby John is an utter flop. Now Bollywood and Salman Khan fans are terrified after hearing the news that Sikandar is remake of Thalapathy Vijay’s Sarkar directed by A R Murgadoss.  Murgadoss who is coming back to Bollywood after a long gap and makers have not responded. Tamil film Producer Kalanithi Maran of Sun Pictures has not confirmed this.

After Baby John, Thalapathy Vijay has become a bad word in Bollywood. Now after Thanu said that Rs 10 crores was got for They remake , many feel that Paramount asking Rs 85 crore as remake rights for Breakdown being remade as Vidamuyurchi with Ajith is not too much.

As if an answer to Tamil film critic Blue Sattai Maran, After reigning dominance in the Indian movie market, Unni Mukundan’s latest blockbuster ‘Marco’ made with a budget of just Rs 30 crore, is heading to Korea. The producers of the movie have inked a deal with Korea’s famous Noori Pictures is distributing the film. Maran termed Marco as a cheap Korean film copy.

After Pushpa 2, yet another film is giving good moolah to theatres in North India is Marco. The Hindi dubbed version of Malayalam film Marco has been doing good business and what drove the Day 13 collections is the increase in screens for its Hindi version, which brought in Rs 1.2 Cr (Marco’s highest single-day collection for a dubbed version since its release), and the Telugu version that hit theatres on January 1, fetched Rs 1.15 Cr.

The Hindi version of the film, which is rated A for its non-stop violence and bloodletting , played 1200+ shows, with Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad leading with 224, 93 and 57 shows, respectively. The Hindi-dubbed version had also released in GCC countries on January 1 reports OTT play. On January 3, Tamil version has been released. It is first Malayalam film to do a Rs 1 crore collection in North India.

Book Samudrakanni and release film on Pongal/ Sankranti for a hit. This is new belief that Tollywood has discovered. He played Appala Naidu in Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo, which released in 2020, then came Krack in 2021, where he played the cruel and menacing Katari Krishna, and in 2024, he played Vibhishana in Hanu Man. He is now portraying the role of Ram Charan’s uncle in the film Game Changer, which is all set to release on January 10 as a Sankranti treat.

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Will TVK Thalaivar Vijay and SuperStar Rajinikanth attend Ram Charan Game Changer Chennai event ?

 

Will Thalapathy and Thalaivar join Ram Charan and Shankar for the Game Changer ( GC) promo event in Chennai ?. If Thalapathy joins GC event , there is a possibility of him going into a kutty story and given the fact that he heads the TVK, it would be broadside against DMK government is for sure. What if Rajini joins Thalapathy ?. It could see him talk about budding politicians and taking on the Goliath and here too it could be another kutty story . This combination could bring together the biggest ever viewership for the event and much needed publicity to get the opening.

The two actors have not given any nod to the invite. Shankar has directed Vijay and Rajinikanth. Dil Raju has proximity to both and another factor is that Mega Star Chiranjeevi is also keen that Ram Charan GC do a Pushpa 2. Chiru and Rajini are friends from Film Institute days. Apart from all this, Dil Raju’s distribution network and contacts can be of help to Vijay next and Rajini’s Coolie.

If the fans of both give support to GC, this could work wonders. Given that Ajith’s Vidamuyurchi is skipping Pongal, the only other possibility is that of Chiyaan Vikram’s Veera Dheera Sooran jumping into the fray.

The film is a political thriller. From what we get from those who saw GC in Chennai the average opinion we get is it's way better than Indian 2 , Slightly better than 2.0 I Nanban etc .

• But don't compare it to say Mudalvan or Indian or Enthiran or Gentkement or any 90s or 2000s Shankar movies. Second half is where we see Shankar brilliance film making

·         Politics game play is extremely good apparently.

·         Sj Suryah once again impressed with his acting, Srikanth gets a good meaty role. Jayaram also does well . Samuthirkarni role is very regular.

·         Songs looks good on screen

Vanangaan, Kadhalikka Neramillai  ( not confirmed yet), Ten Hours, Padai Thalaivan, Madraskaran, Tharunam,and Sumo are the Tamil films that will be be released for Pongal 2025.  Out of this Bala’s Vanangaan has the advantage.

GC censor report shows that there is no cuts for abusive language or violence excess. Liquor bottle labels shots were cut, mention of IAS officer Durga  shakti Nagpal name was changed to Suchitra Pandey. Other were technical cuts.

GC in Kerala will face Marco as opposition and Telugu version too opened yesterday to good response. In Tamil Nadu too, Marco Tamil is releasing this week.

 

GAME CHANGER Release hit by Shankar's - Lyca faceoff / MARCO replaces Baby John

 

Game Changer release might face legal hurdles from Indian 3 makers. Reason is that Director Shankar is asking Rs 60 cr for doing a reshoot and a new song for the Kamal Haasan film. As per sources, trade reports after seeing Game Changer has said that first half is good and second half excellent. The film screened in Chennai has given a top notch rating. Given this , Game Changer ( GC) will be another Pushpa 2. In such a situation, Indian 3 coming from same Director will fetch heavy prices and so Rs 60 cr is justified is the argument.

Lyca has more or less struck a deal for direct OTT release. At this juncture came the suggestion that a reshoot at a budget that does not make a hole in the pocket was possible and a theatre release be possible. At that time, GC and Shankar were no hot property. Post Indian 2 debacle, GC had lost the sheen and audio was no great shakes.

Now with GC swinging upwards, the traction has made Shankar realize that Lyca ill get more bucks and so he too should get a share of the extra money. Lyca  agreed to allow Shankar to do GC on the condition that he would complete Indian franchise. Now the opportunistic stance by Shankar has made Lyca dust up old files and complaints filed with various trade bodies.

GC trailer has not yet hit the public and as the contents will decide whether it is ok with fans, the delay is created lot of resentment about GC makers. In Bollywood, GC is Ram Charan’s next after RRR that did Rs 275 crores. So trade says that if GC does a Rs 5 cr opening , the film has a potential to do well but less than Devara that opened with Rs 7 crore. There is no buzz over GC till date and hopefully the trailer might work,

SHOCKING! Baby John Shows Replaced by Hindi Version Of Marco After Poor Collections; Varun Dhawan’s Film Gets Only 4/ 275 Screens In CP Berar

Varun Dhawan’s much-hyped film Baby John seems to have hit rock bottom just days after its release. The film, which opened on 25 December with a modest Rs 11.25 crore, has seen an alarming decline in collections.

By its second day, earnings plummeted to Rs 5.13 crore, and Friday’s figures offered no respite. With weekend predictions under Rs 30 crore, exhibitors have already started pulling the plug on the movie.

Baby John Shows Replaced By Hindi Version Of Marco After Poor Response

A key exhibition source revealed to Bollywood Hungama, “The Thursday drop confirmed to theatres that the film wouldn’t sustain over the weekend. Consequently, cinemas nationwide began reducing its shows.”

Now, the Hindi version of the Malayalam hit Marco has stepped in to fill the gap. The ultra-violent film has sparked curiosity, with many viewers comparing its intensity to the recent blockbuster Animal. (calling the latter “child’s play” in comparison.)

Theatres have responded to this demand by replacing Baby John with Marco and other popular titles like Pushpa 2 and Mufasa: The Lion King.

source; https://boxofficeworldwide.com/movies-latest-news/shocking-baby-john-shows-replaced-by-hindi-version-of-marco-after-poor-collections-varun-dhawans-film-gets-only-4-275-screens-in-cp-berar/

 GC till date and hopefully the trailer might work,_

Trisha joins AK in Thailand after Goa trip /Indian 3 confirmed for BIG SCREEN !!! DMK MP tutors Ram Charan

Here is how Madurai MP Venkatesan turned mentor of Ram Charan for Game Changer .Venkatesan has authored the popular novel Veera Yuga Nayagan Velpari, which many filmmakers wanted to adapt for the big screen. Shankar is one of the lucky filmmakers who holds the rights to the novel and plans to make a three-part movie. During this process, he came up with the idea to include Venkatesan in the scriptwriting team of Game Changer.”

Shankar is said to have felt that Venkatesan’s knowledge of politics would add value to the script. Venkatesan was thrilled to come on board when the director suggested the idea. Venkatesan was often visiting the film’s sets. “He helped Ram Charan get the body language and the whole demeanor of an IAS officer right.”

As the trailer shows, Ram Charan will play a dual role as a young IAS officer and a father who wants to serve society.

“For Charan’s role as an IAS Officer, Venkatesan gave valuable input to the team, made the script more relatable and honest, and was instrumental in getting the design arc right.”

This isn’t the first time Shankar has made a political drama. He has already made the cult classic Mudhalvan, also remade in Hindi as Nayak The Real Hero. Both are some of Shankar’s biggest hits.

Apart from being a politician, Venkatesan won the Sahitya Akademi Award for his Tamil novel Kaval Kottam. The Tamil film Aravaan (2012) was based on the same novel.

Director Shankar has firmly said that Indian 3 will release only in theatres first and later on OTT. This happy news for Kamal and Shankar fans has excited Kollywood too. Shankar admitted that hhe did not expect a heavy negative reviews for Indian 3 but all the same, he did not take it to heart and went ahead with Game Changer remaining portions.

 Director Shankar is 100 % confident that Game Changer will redeem his image of a mass director. In his direction he is confident enough to even reveal his film plot of Ram Charan as IAS officer v/s Politician Suryah/. He also revealed that his next is Velpari and it requires two big actors. This means that he is confident of getting a producer or has already got one. This Shankar confidence shows that Game Changer will be one for the Director and also for Indian 3.

Trisha after attending the wedding of Keerthy Suresh in Goa has reported for Thailand schedule of Vidamuyurchi . Photos of  the lead pair in shooting spot and the AK clean shaven look has gone viral. Trailor- music launch is due soon. The production company Lyca acquired the rights Hollywood film Break Down. With this portion of shoot film has been wrapped up. read; https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2024/11/game-changer-to-decide-indian-3-re.html

AK fans has got a chance to be at Dubai aerodrome where Ajith team will be racing here is the link.

VidaaMuyarchi reposted

Ajees afen 

@Ajees96

·

Dec 18

Hello, my dear #UAE #AjithKumar fans! If you want to witness our beloved Mr. AK participating in the

@24HSERIES

European 2025 #901 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup at

@Dubai_Autodrome

on January 11th&12th, 2025, please register using the link below to get a free pass.

Goof Up in Vidamuyurchi teaser ? Lyca confirms our Report

 The film has music by Thaman.

 

Once we were first to report that Sundeep is hero of Jason Vijay's directorial debut film. Lyca has officially announced the film with a motion poster. We learn that music is by Thaman. Sanjay has tagged Director Sanjeev in his X post. The motion poster on You Tube is on second spot. For this project, Ajith Kumar's manager Suresh Chandra is the PRO and his company Done Channel too has been tagged.  

OUR STORY

read; https://southfilmy.blogspot.com/2024/11/thalapathy-son-jason-film-hero-is.html

Shankar's Game Changer lyric song looks like a 90's wedding album is the trending troll. Yet another comment that is trending is that as producers exhausted the Rs 450 crores, they edited in photoshop and that is why it looks horrible. The song has 22 million views. After Indian 2, the next from  shankar is Game Changer. Will Shankar give a hit ?

Sharing the video on his official X handle, Ram Charan captioned, "Melody of the year!!! One of my favorite tracks from #GameChanger has got to be NaaNaaHyraanaa @singer_karthik's vocals blend perfectly with @shreyaghoshal's mesmerizing voice creating a truly unforgettable experience. @MusicThaman’s melody is simply superb. Rockstar choreography that is worth all the praise, @BoscoMartis you killed it (sic)."

 

 Teaser of  Vidaamuyarchi shows a scene  of Hollywood film it.  Did it appear deliberately in this teaser or was it a indication that the film is a crossover of IT  film character Bowers and the hero of Breakdown. The teaser shows  a missing persons board and a  paper clipping of the Harry Bowers missing. Was is  a goof up or an indication of things to come ?  

Is the antagonist in Vidamuyurchi modelled on Harry Bowers ? Henry Bowers, the character in Stephen King's "It," is portrayed as a bully and is generally mean to others, including girls. In the 2017 film adaptation and its sequel, Bowers is depicted as a violent and aggressive character who harasses and intimidates his peers, particularly the Losers' Club, with a focus on his hatred towards them. While his interactions with girls are not the primary focus, he embodies toxic masculinity and engages in bullying behavior that can extend to anyone he perceives as weaker, including female characters. His actions reflect broader themes of bullying and fear in the story.

Arjun and Regina in the teaser appear to be the bad guys.

Atlee next a rehash of Magadheera - Will DSP removal give Game Changer a breather ?

  Director Atlee next Hindi project is rehash of the Telugu film Maghadheera starring Ram Charan and directed by SS Rajamouli. This fantasy film released in 2009 was the South Indian dilm to have longest run in theatres and the dubbed versions in Tamil and Malayalam gave RC the market in these languages. A blockbuster hit , it had Chiranjeevi in a cameo. The writing team of Vijayendra that collaborated in the original is rehashing to suit Hindi audience. Kajol plays the role of a princess in an era dating 450 years ago and the modern day student. The story written by Vijayendra for Krishna was rejected and years later his son Rajamouli changed the screenplay and added a Rajamatha to the story of a bodyguard's show of loyalty and courage.

Atlee who has successfully rehashed many popular Tamil films and delivered hits is now camping in Chennai's Hyatt hotel with writers and re- writing the film. Sun Pictures, Atlee and Salman Khan are co- producers. Kamal Haasan is tipped to be part of the cast.

Game Changer team is waiting to see if Ajit's Good Bad Ugly will shift the release date as it has brought in G V Prakash as BGM scorer and DSP has been moved out. However we learn that GVP was brought in to stick to release date.

Adhik always wanted Yuvan for GBA . But Yuvan like  DSP  gives delayed bgm. Se he requested for GV Prakash  and it it was producers who insisted Devi Sri Prasad thinking it will help them in Telugu states.

DSP was not  giving songs  for Adhik  and under  a pressure DSP gave songs for GBA .

Good Bad & Ugly Pongal deadline

GBA had this pongal releases deadline and Adhik started getting very nervous. Eventually DSP told makers he can't give BGM for Pongal deadline.

So choice was with Producers whether to delay production to summer release with DSP music or go with another music directors.

GV Prakash was requested to work on same luckily GV Prakash Kumar has got enough time  and he was bought in immediately.

GV Prakash is already working with Mythrifor their  Robinhood movie. So everything worked out.

DSP and Pushpa 2 song fiasco explained

DSP  even  in November did not give final duet song . He gave one finally in November 15th . They need to shoot that song on Allu Arjun and Rashmika.  It was done recently on Nov 19 to Nov 22 with little of patch work  and completes the entire shooting on Nov 25.

DSP always insist on complete raw edit of talkie with vfx to do bgm something which many Directors cannot oblige.  Director Sukumar keeps improvising till last date and DSP know that but from this year he stuck to his new rule, he started this year. Music Directors  like Anirudh and MM Keeravani do not insist but  Manisharma , Ilayaraja and ARR used to insist on locked edit back in 90s and 2000s . 

DSP  was asked to work on episode wise  which he kept declining. Then producers by then just got impatienent  and requested SS Thaman, Ajaneesh and Sam CS to work on those episodes individually.

DSP was supposed to give NOCs to producer to reprise his bgm works and songs instrumentals of Pushpa in BGM for pushpa 2 second half. That got delayed  but finally he gives it.

Game Changer to decide Indian 3 re-shoot - Rs 600 crore for Prabhas

 

Game Changer box office to decide Indian 3 reshoot

It seems that Director Shankar who is busy with Game Changer will shoot a few portions and a song for Indian 3. This schedule and the scenes that need to be shot has been fixed by Kamal  Haasan. The condition is that if Game Changer is a hit and wipes out Director Shankar bad name post Indian 2, then no shoot. If it does not and brings credits to Ram Charan only, then Lyca will fund Indian 3 reshoot. Hey Lucknow! I’ll miss you today as I’m still in Chennai editing to bring #GameChanger to the screens and fans by Sankranti 2025! Hope you enjoy today’s teaser launch with our beloved stars and team! I will see you very soon,” Shankar wrote.

Hombale films has signed a Rs 600 crores deal with Prabhas for three films.  The sequel to Salaar and one film by Lokesh Kanagaraj and Prashant Varma is the other. Before this Prabhas will release Raja Saab , film by Hanu Raghuvapudi and Sandeep Vanga Reddy by 2026, From 2026, the three film deal with Hombale Films will begin. In between Prabhas will finish Kalki sequel. In short the actor whose Kalki touched Rs 1000 crores mark and taking two parts of Bahubaali, it makes three films in that bracket.

 Press note from Production Company : Hombale Films is creating waves as the only production house which has been able to give a mainstream hit in all markets including KGF & Kantara in Kannada, Salaar in Telugu, Raghu Thatha in Tamil and Dhoomam in Malayalam with Fahaad Fasil in lead. Now, This is actually the collaboration of titans as Hombale and Prabhas together are part of 5 out of 20 biggest worldwide hits with Baahubali 1&2, KGF 2, Kalki and Salaar.


The Prabhas-Hombale partnership heralds an exhilarating new era in Indian cinema, one that will set new benchmarks and captivate audiences around the world, showcasing the power of bold storytelling on a grand scale.

 

Namit Malhotra Announces the Release Date for India’s Biggest Film: Ramayana - Part One and Two! Releasing on Diwali of 2026 and 2027!

Namit Malhotra unveiled a poster and shared, “More than a decade ago, I embarked on a noble quest to bring this epic that has ruled billions of hearts for over 5000 years to the big screen. And today, I am thrilled to see it taking shape beautifully as our teams work tirelessly with only one purpose: to present the most authentic, sacred, and visually stunning adaptation of our history, our truth, and our culture – our “RAMAYANA”– for people across the world.

Join us as we fulfill our dream of bringing our greatest epic to life with pride and reverence…

Part 1 in Diwali 2026
and

Part 2 in Diwali 2027

From our entire Ramayana Family ”

As the visionary force behind Prime Focus Studios, Namit Malhotra has been involved in some of Hollywood’s biggest projects, including Dune and Inception, as well as recent hits like The Garfield Movie. Additionally, he also announced Angry Birds 3. Namit Malhotra’s deep understanding of visual storytelling has made him one of the most important Indians in Hollywood!